South Korean President Lee Jae-myung Attends G20 Summit, Focuses on Diversified Diplomacy
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – President Lee Jae-myung arrived in Johannesburg on November 21st to participate in the Group of 20 summit, following visits to the United arab Emirates and Egypt. The summit, themed around solidarity, equality, and sustainability, will see President Lee engage in key bilateral meetings and emphasize South Korea’s role as a responsible global actor.
President Lee is scheduled to meet with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, marking their first summit as Lee took office. national Security Adviser Wi Sung-lak highlighted Germany’s importance as South Korea’s largest European trading partner and a fellow manufacturing powerhouse,noting discussions will focus on strengthening economic cooperation amidst a shifting global landscape.
A meeting with french President Emmanuel Macron is also planned. Originally scheduled for September during the U.N. General Assembly, the talks were postponed at France‘s request.With the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties between South Korea and france approaching, and france’s upcoming G7 presidency, the two leaders will collaborate on global developments, economic issues, and security concerns.
President Lee will also participate in a leaders’ meeting of MIKTA – a group comprised of Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea, Türkiye, and Australia – where South Korea currently holds the chair. The meeting will center on reinforcing multilateralism and international cooperation.
These meetings underscore South Korea’s strategy to broaden its diplomatic reach beyond the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia, pursuing a pragmatic foreign policy centered on national interests. As Wi Sung-lak stated, “South Korea must expand its diplomatic horizon.”
This year’s G20 summit is notable for the absence of the leaders of the United States, China, and Russia – a first as the group’s founding in 1999. U.S. President Donald Trump cited concerns about the situation of farmers in South Africa as his reason for not attending. China will be represented by Premier Li Qiang, and Russia by Deputy Chief of Staff Maxim Oreshkin.
Looking ahead,South Korea is slated to host the G20 summit in 2028.
(Source: Hoon-Sang Park, donga.com)
