By Gloria Ogbonna

Lee Jae-myung, South Korea’s newly elected president, embarked on his first official overseas trip this week, attending the Group of Seven (G7) summit held in Alberta, Canada.

Though South Korea is not a formal member of the G7—a coalition that includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States—President Lee was invited by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who is currently serving as the host of the summit.

The trip marks a significant moment not only for Lee personally, just weeks into his presidency, but also for South Korea’s diplomatic standing on the global stage.

His attendance served both symbolic and strategic purposes: to reassure international allies that South Korea has restored democratic stability after a turbulent political period, and to express Seoul’s ambitions to join or align more closely with the world’s leading economic powers.

A Nation Recovering from Crisis

Lee rose to power following a dramatic special election held on June 3 to replace former President Yoon Suk-yeol, who was impeached and removed from office after attempting to impose martial law in December—a move that plunged the country into a constitutional crisis.

That moment of political unrest sparked widespread protests and forced early elections, resulting in Lee’s victory.

Although he reportedly hesitated to leave Seoul so early in his term, Lee ultimately chose to attend the summit to demonstrate South Korea’s renewed commitment to democratic governance.

“It was a meaningful opportunity to signal the restoration of the democracy of the Republic of Korea,” said National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac, speaking at a press conference on Tuesday. “Most of the leaders President Lee met with highly praised our recovery of democracy following the recent domestic crisis.”

Missed Meeting with Trump, Hopes for NATO Summit

President Lee had hoped to hold a bilateral meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump during the summit, particularly to discuss trade, tariffs, and future economic cooperation.

However, Trump unexpectedly departed early to return to Washington due to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran.

According to Lee’s office, the South Korean leader was not given prior notice of Trump’s departure, causing some diplomatic discomfort.

Nevertheless, Lee’s team remains optimistic about a possible meeting with Trump on the sidelines of the upcoming NATO summit in the Netherlands, scheduled for June 24–25.

Eyes on the G7—and the Future

Lee’s presence at the G7, though symbolic, underscores a long-standing aspiration within South Korea to join the group or form a closer partnership through a possible “G7 Plus” expansion model—an idea inspired by the recent enlargement of the BRICS economic bloc led by China.

The G7 has expanded once before, adding Russia in 1997 to become the G8. However, Moscow was expelled in 2014 following its illegal annexation of Crimea. Russia has remained bitter about the ejection and, just this week, mocked the G7 as “dull and rather useless.”

Former President Trump echoed that sentiment during the summit, calling Russia’s removal a “big mistake” and speculating that Vladimir Putin might have been deterred from invading Ukraine if Moscow had remained part of the coalition.

Domestic and International Criticism

Despite the international exposure, Lee’s appearance at the summit has drawn mixed reviews. Domestic critics argue that he should have remained at home to focus on South Korea’s pressing issues, while some international observers viewed his summit debut as underwhelming—particularly after the missed opportunity to engage directly with Trump.

Skepticism also remains regarding Lee’s foreign policy direction. Critics are concerned that his left-leaning administration may take a softer stance toward China and North Korea, especially if he feels snubbed by the West.

Lee’s foreign policy credentials were questioned during the campaign, prompting him to surround himself with experienced diplomats such as Wi Sung-lac, a former ambassador to Russia.

A Vision for AI and Energy Innovation

At the summit, President Lee emphasized South Korea’s strategic priorities, especially in emerging technologies. He presented an ambitious plan to transform South Korea into the world’s “leading artificial intelligence hub.”

This includes sweeping tax incentives, regulatory reforms, and the launch of a massive private-sector investment fund aimed at catalyzing a nationwide A.I. transformation.

Lee also underscored South Korea’s commitment to improving energy infrastructure to meet the high electricity demands of AI development and to securing critical supplies of rare earth minerals essential to the tech industry.

In addition to economic topics, Lee discussed regional security concerns with G7 leaders, including a high-profile conversation with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba about North Korea’s growing threat and missile program.

“Amid the seismic shift in the world’s economic security landscape, South Korea actively engaged in discussions over global current affairs while manifesting its visions and roles,” said Wi Sung-lac.

Looking Ahead

President Lee’s first foray into global diplomacy may not have gone exactly as planned, but it has positioned him—and South Korea—at the edge of key international conversations.

With the NATO summit on the horizon and growing tensions in East Asia and the Middle East, Lee’s next moves will be closely watched both at home and abroad.

His ability to balance domestic challenges with international engagement will be crucial in defining the early legacy of his presidency.

Source Breitbart