South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s first summit with US President Donald Trump will not take place Tuesday due to the Lee summit delay. The presidential office confirmed Trump decided to leave Canada earlier than expected. Lee was notified of the summit delay by Washington officials. The unexpected change complicates plans for bilateral talks at the G7 summit. The early departure comes amid rising tensions related to the Israel-Iran conflict.
Wi Sung-lac, director of national security at the presidential office, explained the summit delay disrupts the planned meetings. He told reporters that Trump’s sudden decision to return home makes it difficult to hold talks on Tuesday. Wi added that such changes often happen during multilateral summits due to shifting global events. The Israel-Iran conflict likely influenced Trump’s decision, according to Wi. South Korean officials continue to monitor the evolving situation closely.
Despite the Lee summit delay affecting US-South Korea talks, a separate meeting with Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba remains scheduled. Wi confirmed that South Korea and Japan’s leaders will hold bilateral discussions on Tuesday. Officials said there has been significant progress toward improving Korea-Japan relations. Lee is committed to ensuring South Korea avoids any disadvantages amid the current diplomatic uncertainties. The presidential office has expressed cautious optimism despite the Lee summit delay.
Meanwhile, Lee held a bilateral meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Calgary, Alberta. He also plans to attend the expanded G7 sessions and meet other leaders, though the details remain undisclosed. Lee’s office said he will depart Canada on Tuesday and return to South Korea by Wednesday evening. The Lee summit delay does not affect all of Lee’s planned engagements at the summit. South Korea remains focused on advancing its diplomatic agenda amid the changes.
Overall, the Lee summit delay underscores how global conflicts can impact high-level diplomacy. Both South Korea and its partners must adapt quickly to shifting circumstances. The government emphasizes the importance of continuing dialogue despite setbacks. Lee’s administration will seek new opportunities to engage key allies in the coming weeks. Stability and cooperation remain top priorities as regional tensions evolve.
