G7 Summit Invitation Controversy, Fact-Checking Revealed
Some YouTubers and online community members claimed that President Lee Jae-myung's participation in the G7 summit held in Canada was as an 'Observer Country' only, and that he had no official participation or speaking rights.
On the 18th (Korea time), claims began circulating in online communities and on YouTube channels that downplayed the significance of President Lee’s attendance at the G7 summit.
They argued that the President's visit was essentially at the level of a trip and that there were no substantial diplomatic achievements.
Essentially a Trip Level
Results from checking the G7 invitation format and the official website showed that the G7 is an informal forum involving seven countries: Germany, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, the UK, the USA, and the European Union (EU).
The critics claimed that the form of invitation for non-member countries is categorized into 'Invited Countries' and 'Observer Countries,' asserting that South Korea falls under the latter.
They explained that Invited Countries are selected by the chair based on their cooperation with G7 member countries’ common agenda, which allows for some attendance and speaking rights in official meetings.
In contrast, they argued that Observer Countries have limited attendance at official meetings and almost no speaking rights.
However, upon directly checking the official website for the Canada G7 summit, it was found that South Korea was included in the 'List of Participating Countries for the 2025 G7 Summit' without the term 'Observer Country.'
The page states, "As the G7 chair in 2025, Canada will welcome leaders from the following countries and heads of international organizations attending the G7 summit to be held in Canmore."
The list of invited countries included Australia, Brazil, India, Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Ukraine, as well as international organizations such as NATO, the UN, and the World Bank.
Meanwhile, on the second day of the G7 summit, President Lee took commemorative photographs with leaders from various countries, including the UK and France.
Notably, President Lee is scheduled to speak twice during the expanded session of the G7 on topics such as the energy supply chain transformation and AI energy integration.
President Lee held a summit meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and informal meetings with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, Indian Prime Minister Modi, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
Additionally, a first Korea-Japan summit meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and a bilateral meeting with the Canadian Prime Minister, the chair country, were also conducted.
Image sources: President Lee Jae-myung and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa / Presidential Office, President Lee Jae-myung with leaders during the movement for a commemorative photo / gettyimageskorea, President Lee Jae-myung and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer / gettyimageskorea.
