South Korean President Lee Attends G7 Summit 11 Days After Inauguration

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung will make his international diplomatic debut at the G7 summit in Alberta, Canada, shortly after his inauguration, participating as an observer and engaging in key bilateral talks with leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump and Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. These meetings are poised to address critical issues such as North Korea's security threats, China and Russia's influence, and ongoing South Korea-U.S. tariff negotiations, with the latter focusing on reaching a mutually acceptable agreement amid a looming deadline. President Lee's approach to China, a significant agenda item at the summit, will be closely watched by both the G7 nations and China itself, as the U.S. aims to finalize a core foreign strategy involving pressure on China. The summit also provides an opportunity for President Lee to build trust with President Trump, which is considered essential for progressing tariff discussions and strengthening the South Korea-U.S. alliance. Despite invitations, South Korea's participation in the NATO summit remains uncertain, reflecting cautious engagement in broader geopolitical alliances. Japan hopes for improved cooperation with South Korea under President Lee, emphasizing trilateral collaboration among Japan, the U.S., and South Korea.