President Lee Jae-myung arrives in Canada, attending the first G7 summit…focusing on energy and AI diplomatic issues.

Lee Jae-myung President Arrives in Canada

President Lee Jae-myung arrived at Calgary International Airport in Alberta, Canada, on June 16th, local time, marking the beginning of his first overseas schedule since taking office. Accompanied by his wife, Kim Hye-kyung, he greeted local expatriates at the airport, presenting a calm and steady first impression. This unusual overseas visit, occurring just 12 days after his inauguration, clearly demonstrates that restoring diplomatic exchanges with the international community is a top priority in his governance.

Significance of Participating in the G7 Summit

The focus of this visit is attendance at the expanded session of the G7 summit. Although South Korea is not a formal member of the G7, it has been invited for the third time, following Toyama, Japan in 2008 and Cornwall, UK in 2021. This meeting will also include a diverse range of invitees, such as Brazil, India, Mexico, South Africa, Ukraine, and Australia. The conference will be held in the resort town of Canmore, located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, and discussions will center around multilateral issues such as energy, AI, supply chains, and the climate crisis.

Sharing Korea's Position and Vision

President Lee Jae-myung is scheduled to share Korea's position and vision through two thematic speeches during this expanded session. The first speech will focus on the topic of 'diversification of energy supply chains,' sharing Korea's accumulated experiences in responding to the energy crisis following the Russia-Ukraine war. He will present practical strategies such as diversifying natural gas import sources and expanding nuclear power exports, while emphasizing the need for international solidarity to reduce excessive dependence on specific countries.

Linkage between AI and Energy

In the second statement, the focus will be on the connection between AI and energy, presenting a vision for climate change response and energy efficiency based on Korea's achievements in smart grids, power demand forecasting systems, and industrial automation technologies. The president plans to introduce the so-called 'Korean-style sustainable model' and express the intent to share solutions that organically connect technology and policy with the international community. This suggests that Korea is transforming from merely an energy-consuming country to a creative contributor that exports technology and policy.

The Importance of Quantum Diplomacy

This schedule goes beyond mere participation it also serves as a stage for bilateral diplomacy. The President is currently pursuing meetings with the invited countries such as Brazil, India, and Australia, and the possibility of a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is also gaining attention. In particular, topics such as Ukraine's post-war reconstruction, expansion of humanitarian assistance, and technological cooperation are expected to be substantial discussion points. Furthermore, the success of the U.S.-South Korea and South Korea-Japan summits is also a matter of interest, as sensitive issues such as the North Korean nuclear problem, supply chain cooperation, and defense cost-sharing may come to the negotiating table.

Test of Practical Diplomacy

This diplomatic move is also a test of President Yoon's emphasis on 'pragmatic diplomacy'. As he has advocated for a diplomatic strategy focused on national interests and effectiveness, the manner of participation in this G7, the setting of the agenda, and the composition of bilateral meetings clearly reflect a pragmatic approach. Through the keywords of energy, technology, and peace, a diplomatic message is being clearly conveyed that South Korea aims to make a practical contribution to solving global issues.

Resumption of Normal Diplomacy

Particularly, this president is swiftly resuming the normal diplomatic activities that were temporarily suspended under the previous administration and is enhancing Korea's presence on the stage of global leadership. The fact that the policies and technologies proposed by Korea have reached a level of contributing to the formation of international agendas, beyond mere participation, will serve as a turning point for redefining its diplomatic stature.

G7 visit evaluation

The President is scheduled to return on June 18. The current itinerary is proceeding smoothly without major issues, and there are evaluations that a clear message has been delivered in the debut on the international stage, securing the weight of the theme. In the future, the diplomatic achievements of this visit are expected to become more concrete depending on the specific results of the Korea-U.S. and Korea-Japan meetings, as well as the ramifications of the expanded G7 session.

The Diplomatic Direction of a New Era

This G7 visit is not just a short-term diplomatic agenda. It represents a symbolic turning point that shows the direction in which South Korean diplomacy should move in the new era. President Lee Jae-myung's first step will determine how South Korea's diplomatic standing will be reestablished in the future, and how his message will resonate in the international community. The real evaluation begins now.