President Lee Jae Myung embarked on a 10-day diplomatic tour to Europe on Tuesday, aiming to strengthen security ties and economic partnerships. The trip includes stops in Belgium, Italy, the Vatican, and France, where he will attend the Group of Seven summit. This diplomatic tour marks Lee’s first European visit since taking office. He framed it as a chance to broaden cooperation and reinforce South Korea’s global standing.
Lee began the diplomatic tour in Brussels, where he met Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever and King Philippe. Later, he held separate talks with European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The leaders then attended a South Korea-EU agreement signing ceremony. Consequently, the summit addressed shared security challenges, including North Korea’s military cooperation with Russia. They also discussed supply chain resilience, critical minerals, and geopolitical conflicts affecting the Middle East and Indo-Pacific.
Furthermore, Lee highlighted the economic dimension of the diplomatic tour. He noted Belgium’s role as a key logistics hub with a dynamic small-business ecosystem. “Belgium will be a trusted partner in expanding the presence of Korean businesses in Europe,” he wrote on social media. He also pointed to cultural ties, mentioning an upcoming BTS concert in Belgium as a bridge between younger generations. This year marks the 125th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, providing a symbolic backdrop for the talks.
After Belgium, the diplomatic tour continues with a state visit to Italy. Lee plans to hold separate meetings with President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Their discussions will cover bilateral cooperation and global affairs. Subsequently, Lee will travel to the Vatican for an audience with Pope Leo XIV. The final leg of the diplomatic tour takes Lee to Evian, France, for the G7 summit, running Monday through Wednesday. South Korea participates as an invited partner for the second consecutive year.
National security director Wi Sung-lac said the trip would strengthen economic diplomacy and expand cooperation in security sectors. The EU is South Korea’s third-largest trading partner, and the visit seeks to protect Korean companies’ market access amid global uncertainty. Overall, this diplomatic tour signals Seoul’s intention to deepen its role in European security discussions and global supply chain strategy.
