Pres. Lee to make diplomatic debut at G7 summit in Canada

We start here on the local front as President Lee Jae-myung is headed to Canada to take part in this year's Group of Seven summit.

Our top office correspondent Song Yoo-jin covers the president's agenda.

South Korea's new leader, President Lee Jae-myung, is making his diplomatic debut on the global stage.

President Lee begins his three-day trip to Canada on Monday to attend the Group of Seven summit, less than two weeks after taking office.

First Lady Kim Hye-kyung is accompanying him and will participate in official programs arranged by the host nation.

"President Lee will build rapport with world leaders and lay the groundwork for tangible progress on key issues, including trade. In particular, by highlighting the strength of Koreans who overcame martial law and insurrection, and the resilience of our democracy, we expect this summit to elevate South Korea's standing on the global stage."

The President's first stop is Calgary, where he is expected to hold bilateral talks with leaders of non-G7 countries, who were invited to the summit along with South Korea.

Those invited countries include Australia, Brazil, India, Mexico, South Africa and Ukraine.

The following day, on Tuesday local time, he will participate in the G7 expanded session in Kananaskis, where the focus will be on energy security.

Lee is expected to speak twice, laying out Korea's vision for diversifying global energy supply chains and promoting AI-integrated energy innovation.

Bilateral meetings are also being arranged with G7 members.

Attention is on whether Lee will hold talks with U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, at a time when the July deadline for the Trump administration's reciprocal tariffs is approaching, while Seoul and Tokyo mark 60 years of normalized diplomatic ties this Sunday.

"Through bilateral talks, we will have an opportunity to strengthen friendly cooperation with major countries in terms of our national interest and pragmatic diplomacy. We will also make progress in discussing pending issues, such as trade."

This year's G7 summit, marking its 50th anniversary, will take place on Monday and Tuesday in Canada.

President Lee is expected to conclude his schedule and return to South Korea late on Wednesday.

Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News.