President Lee Jae-myung's first diplomatic stage, G7 summit attendance schedule, significance and outlook summarized

Lee Jae-myung's attendance at the G7 summit

President Lee Jae-myung will attend the G7 summit as his first overseas visit just ten days after taking office. This is more than just a diplomatic schedule. It is a declaration of South Korea's new beginning to the world and a strong expression of the will to restore trust with the international community and return to the normal track of global diplomacy. In particular, this visit is significant as it represents the first step toward practical diplomacy and serves as a test in the multilateral diplomatic arena encompassing economics, technology, and security.

Canada's invitation, high-density diplomacy within a compressed schedule

This G7 meeting attendance was made possible by the official invitation from the host country, Canada. As the G7 chair this year, Canada invited key partner countries, including South Korea, to participate in expanded sessions, and President Lee Jae-myung decided to attend in response to this invitation. The Blue House began practical coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Security Office right after the presidential election, and the official schedule was finalized in early June. President Lee will depart through Seoul Airport on June 16, heading to Alberta, Canada. The schedule is short, lasting one night and three days, but it includes bilateral meetings with leaders of major countries, a speech at the expanded G7 summit, and cultural diplomatic events, which means a high density of diplomatic engagements. First Lady Kim Hye-kyung will also accompany some official ceremonies and cultural events, creating synergy for couple diplomacy.

Energy, AI, Supply Chain... Discussing Korea's Vision

On the afternoon of the 16th (local time), President Yoon will arrive in Calgary and attend an official welcoming ceremony hosted by the Canadian government. Following this, he is scheduled to hold individual meetings with leaders of major countries. Discussions with the United States, Japan, and Germany are likely to focus on supply chain cooperation, sharing of advanced technologies, and measures for stabilizing trade. The main session of the expanded G7 summit will take place on the 17th in Kananaskis, Alberta. President Yoon is expected to express South Korea's stance on global cooperation in energy security and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies through two speeches at this event. The key messages are expected to revolve around diversifying energy supply chains, expanding renewable energy, and establishing ethical development and international norms for AI technologies. This can be interpreted as a declaration that South Korea will play a leading role in technological innovation and the reorganization of global supply chains.

The starting line of practical diplomacy, the first step in restoring international trust

The participation in this summit is significant not only for its symbolism of 'restoring normal diplomacy' but also as the first step in a diplomatic strategy aimed at promoting practical national interests. Unlike the isolationist tendencies seen in the foreign policy of past administrations during their later terms, the Lee Jae-myung government aims for pragmatic diplomacy that transcends ideological divisions. While sharing values with democratic countries, the strategy is to set a direction for cooperation based on practical benefits. The G7 will serve as the first platform to test this new diplomatic approach. It is expected to be a starting point for practical diplomacy that presents clear positions on global issues such as supply chain stability, digital transformation, and climate crisis response, as well as building trust with major countries.

After returning to the country: From words to action

President Lee Jae-myung is scheduled to return late at night on June 18. The agenda discussed at the G7 meeting and the results of bilateral talks will be immediately disclosed to the public through a briefing from the Blue House, and there is a high possibility that the economic and science and technology ministries will begin work on follow-up policies. Domestically, significant policy challenges such as stabilizing the semiconductor supply chain, establishing AI ethical standards, and energy transition are piling up. Therefore, whether the messages from the G7 will go beyond diplomatic rhetoric and lead to concrete industrial strategies and legislation will be a key variable determining the success or failure of the Lee Jae-myung administration.

Korea in the World, Taking the First Step

This G7 summit is the first step in reestablishing the long-term direction of South Korean diplomacy and our position within the global order, going beyond short-term diplomatic achievements. The world is watching closely to see how the diplomatic strategy of the Lee Jae-myung government, which aims to secure both trust and practical benefits through close engagement with the international community, can yield results.