Trump's First Possible Meeting…Unresolved Issues on Tariffs and Defense Treaty

President Lee Jae-myung will attend the G7 Summit in Canada on the 15th, marking his first diplomatic stage since taking office. First Lady Kim Hye-kyung will also accompany him, which suggests an overlap with spousal diplomacy.

According to News1 on the 8th, the presidential office announced, "President Lee is scheduled to attend the G7 summit in Canada from the 15th to the 17th (local time), and First Lady Kim will be joining him."

This trip comes just ten days after his inauguration and marks his first overseas schedule. Although the timing seems early, the urgent issues of the Korea-U.S. defense treaty and tariff negotiations have arisen, leading President Lee to determine that an early meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump is necessary.

Earlier, on the 6th, President Lee communicated with President Trump for the first time, expressing the intent to swiftly reach a tariff agreement satisfactory to both countries. President Trump also conveyed a request for President Lee to visit the U.S. Currently, negotiations are intensifying among working-level officials from both countries, raising interest in whether a bilateral meeting will occur during the G7 summit.

Spousal diplomacy debut…First Lady Kim Hye-kyung accompanies on first overseas trip

The fact that First Lady Kim Hye-kyung is accompanying the President suggests this could serve as a starting point for "First Lady diplomacy."

Her participation is interpreted not as due to special reasons, but rather for engaging in social events with the spouses of G7 leaders. Generally, gatherings of spouses at international diplomatic events are considered significant.

A presidential office official stated, "As soon as the spousal program is specified, First Lady Kim's schedule will be adjusted."

This diplomatic stage is expected to be a test of President Lee's international standing and diplomatic skills, as well as a dignified debut for First Lady Kim.

Opting out of NATO summit…Cautious diplomacy to avoid provoking China

Meanwhile, President Lee has decided not to attend the NATO Summit to be held in The Hague, Netherlands, from the 24th to the 26th of this month.

The decision appears to be based on the assessment that managing both the G7 and NATO summits consecutively would make it difficult to focus on domestic issues such as cabinet appointments and recovery efforts. Additionally, it is analyzed that the invitation from NATO to South Korea reflects the U.S. strategy to counter China, suggesting a decision made with consideration for diplomatic balance with China and Russia.

A key official from the presidential office mentioned to News1 that "it seems we are organizing not to attend the NATO summit."

Attention is focused on whether this G7 meeting can serve as a starting point for President Lee's role as a diplomatic leader and a turning point for reestablishing relations with major world countries.

Image source: News1