Analysis of the Yoon Suk-yeol Government's G7 Diplomacy: Practical Solutions and Challenges of Korea-U.S. and Korea-Japan Talks

Prospects for G7 Diplomacy under the Lee Jae-myung Administration: Seeking Practical Solutions and Challenges in Korea-U.S. and Korea-Japan Relations

President Lee Jae-myung is scheduled to attend the G7 Summit in Canada in June 2025, marking a significant debut on the diplomatic stage since his inauguration. The presidential office defines this unprecedented move, occurring just 12 days after his inauguration, as the restoration of normal diplomacy and will herald the beginning of proactive diplomacy for national interests. President Lee is expected to introduce a new diplomatic framework based on pragmatic diplomacy and formalize a shift in foreign policy towards a focus on practicality and strategy. The core of this diplomatic engagement will be to strengthen South Korea's position within the global order surrounding the Korean Peninsula through bilateral meetings with the United States and Japan.

Prospects of the Korea-U.S. Summit: Realigning Alliances and Negotiations Centered on National Interests

President Lee Jae-myung will attempt to simultaneously stabilize and restructure the Korea-U.S. alliance through a bilateral meeting with President Donald Trump. While there is a possibility that the meeting will take place in an informal 'pull-aside' format, the content of the discussions is expected to be very specific and practical. Security: The enhancement of extended deterrence against North Korea's nuclear and missile threats will be a major agenda item. Drawing on President Trump’s experience in facilitating past U.S.-North Korea summits, a realistic approach to diplomatic and military options regarding North Korea's nuclear issue can be expected. Economy: Issues surrounding U.S. import regulations and tariffs on South Korea's key exports, including semiconductors, electric vehicles, and shipbuilding, will be raised as core agenda items. President Lee is expected to convey the position that a fair trade environment is an extension of the alliance spirit, demonstrating a pragmatic diplomatic approach that integrates both economic and security negotiations. Supply Chain: The two sides are likely to form a consensus on expanding cooperation to stabilize the semiconductor and AI technology supply chains. Of particular interest is whether there will be room for Korea to take a leading role in the U.S.-initiated 'Chip 4' initiative, as this is expected to be an important foothold in future negotiations.

Prospects for the Korea-Japan Summit: Balancing Historical Issues and Future Cooperation on the 60th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations

The Korea-Japan summit will be a place that requires a more delicate strategy. The year 2025 marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan, as well as the 80th anniversary of liberation, creating a complex situation that needs to address both historical issues and future-oriented cooperation simultaneously. President Yoon and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba may propose and coordinate a meeting in a dialogue format, which could serve as a structural starting point for restoring relations beyond a simple diplomatic encounter. Regarding historical issues, President Yoon is expected to acknowledge the historical truth about the comfort women and forced labor issues while clarifying his stance that he will not close the door to cooperation for the future of both countries. This can be interpreted as a diplomatic strategy that seeks a middle ground, connecting historical awareness to practical benefits for both nations. Economically, Japan might create a conducive atmosphere for a practical approach, considering the backlash from domestic conservatives while securing tangible benefits through supply chain linkages in key industries such as semiconductors and batteries. On the global agenda, it is possible that the two countries will agree to collaborate on global issues like energy security, AI technology sharing, and securing critical minerals in an expanded G7 session. This functions as a platform for multilateral diplomacy and extends to bilateral diplomacy, showcasing Korea's intent to integrate the Korea-Japan relationship as part of its Northeast Asia strategy. President Yoon will likely aim to take the initiative in recovering the relationship by suggesting that we build practical cooperation for our common survival and prosperity, rather than stopping only at the past.

Possibilities and Challenges of Practical Diplomacy

President Lee Jae-myung's diplomacy at the G7 can be evaluated as presenting a new paradigm for Korean diplomacy. The restoration of summit diplomacy will be pursued under the goal of securing substantial benefits through strategic coordination, going beyond mere formal resumption. The characteristics of the practical diplomacy of the Lee Jae-myung administration that will be revealed through this are as follows. Focus on practicality and national interest: Diplomacy will shift towards practically coordinating interests and realizing benefits, rather than being driven by emotional nationalism or partisan logic. Structural cooperation: Diplomacy with allies and neighboring countries will be expanded not merely to restore broken relations, but to establish a structural cooperation system. Securing diplomatic autonomy: Efforts will be made to secure the autonomy of Korean diplomacy while also laying the groundwork to have substantial negotiating power within global supply chains and security orders. Of course, the foreign policy strategy of the Lee Jae-myung administration is still in the early stages, and there are numerous challenges to address. It is necessary to secure domestic public support and to lead subsequent practical negotiations without political disconnection. Moreover, there is a need to clarify criticisms that practical diplomacy neglects value-oriented diplomacy. Nevertheless, this G7 diplomacy could serve as a positive starting point that demonstrates the potential of practical diplomacy. In the realm of diplomacy that requires continuity and strategy, the choices and approaches the Lee Jae-myung administration shows are worthy of positive attention.