Pres. Lee Jae-myung’s G7 debut: Pragmatic diplomacy faces global test

Welcome to Within The Frame where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus, I'm Kim Mok-yeon,

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung is making his international debut this week at the G7 Summit in Canada.

Though Korea isn't a member of the G7, President Lee is attending as an invited guest—just twelve days into office.

He's expected to meet with leaders from the U.S., Japan, and other major economies to discuss tariffs, global trade, and energy security.

He'll also deliver a key presentation on AI-linked energy strategies.

The trip is about more than just diplomacy—it's the first appearance on the global stage since last December's martial law crisis, which shook Korea's democracy.

According to the presidential office, it's a chance to show the world that "Democratic Korea is back."

And with high-level meetings still being arranged, the president is using this G7 moment to reintroduce South Korea as a key player—committed to what he calls "pragmatic diplomacy" in a fast-changing global order.

For a deeper discussion on this, we are joined by Gi-Wook Shin, Director of the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center here in the studio with us.

1. Let's start with President Lee Jae-myung's attendance at the G7.

Though President Lee is just less than two weeks into his post, what do you think is the reason behind his decision to attend this summit?

2.With that in mind — President Lee is pushing a pragmatic foreign policy. On his first appearance on the multilateral stage, what should he focus on most?

3.Now, turning to the U.S. — One key moment will be Lee's first encounter with President Trump. Whether it's a formal summit or an informal chat, how should Lee prepare?

4.Speaking of that relationship — Trade is front and center.

With the U.S. and China finalizing their second deal, how should Korea approach its own July package talks with Washington?

5.Beyond tariffs — Issues like defense costs and U.S. troop presence are also in play. You've mentioned "buying time" could be a strategy — why is that?

6.On China — Lee signaled interest in mending ties even before the election. But with U.S. pressure and trilateral cooperation with Japan in motion, how can he keep the balance?

7.Looking ahead — There's growing speculation that Lee might attend the NATO Summit later this month. From a pragmatic diplomacy lens, what's the smart approach?

8.Come November — South Korea will host the APEC Summit in Gyeongju.

How can the Lee government use that as a launchpad for its diplomatic agenda?

9.And finally, on North Korea — Washington is reopening the door to "letter diplomacy."

You've said the U.S. likely won't bypass Seoul — why not? And how should Korea position itself now?