South Korea's President Lee Jae-myung Heads to G7 Summit for High-Stakes Trade Talks

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung will travel to Canada on Monday to attend the G7 summit, marking his first international trip since taking office on June 3. According to National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac, Lee plans to hold bilateral meetings with global leaders during the summit, with final schedules still under coordination.

The South Korean presidential office confirmed it is open to potential trilateral talks with the United States and Japan. A possible meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is also being considered, depending on his attendance. These diplomatic engagements aim to address pressing economic and security concerns, including tariffs and trade imbalances that impact South Korea’s export-driven economy.

Lee is expected to use the summit as a platform to discuss key trade issues, particularly in sectors like semiconductors, automobiles, and shipbuilding, which are vulnerable to global tariff policies. Ongoing working-level discussions between Seoul and Washington remain critical, as the U.S., under President Donald Trump, has imposed tariffs on South Korean goods and demanded higher defense cost-sharing for the 28,500 American troops stationed in the country.

Lee’s diplomatic outreach at the G7 also seeks to restore and strengthen South Korea’s ties with traditional allies amid shifting global alliances. His election followed the impeachment of former conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol after a controversial martial law declaration.

With geopolitical and economic stakes high, Lee’s G7 appearance signals South Korea’s intent to reassert its global role and secure better trade terms through direct engagement with world leaders. His meetings are set to take place before and after the summit’s extended session, highlighting the strategic importance of South Korea’s participation.