After completing his state visit to Italy and an official visit to the Vatican, President Lee will travel to France for the summit.
He will participate in the G7 Summit as an invited guest, having also attended last year's summit in Canada.
A key focus for South Korea at this summit is a potential meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, who will also be attending the G7. If the two leaders meet, it would be their third encounter since President Lee took office.
A senior official from the Blue House stated, "If the timing aligns, a meeting could take place, but it is not our primary focus. We are keeping our options open due to the variable nature of the situation."
President Lee will also participate in expanded talks with leaders from Brazil, India, Kenya, and Egypt, the five invited countries. The sessions involving the G7 invitees will include an expanded session on the first day and a second expanded session along with a working lunch on the morning of June 17. He is also expected to attend a formal dinner hosted by the French delegation on the first evening.
The expanded sessions are anticipated to cover key issues such as development cooperation, global inequality, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital advancements.
President Lee is expected to share South Korea's experiences and express a commitment to act as a bridge between developed and developing nations. With news of a ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran, the issue of reopening the Strait of Hormuz is likely to be discussed.
Previously, the U.S. and Iran agreed to a memorandum of understanding (MOU) outlining a roadmap for the ceasefire, with a final signing scheduled for June 19 in Geneva, Switzerland.
On June 15, President Lee expressed his hopes for stabilizing global energy supplies and ensuring that all vessels, including those of South Korean sailors previously restricted in the Strait of Hormuz, can resume safe operations soon. He welcomed the significant progress toward resolving a situation long anticipated by the international community.
He praised President Trump's leadership in achieving the negotiation breakthrough and commended the diplomatic efforts of the negotiating parties and related nations. President Lee affirmed that South Korea, as a responsible member of the international community, would provide necessary support and cooperation to ensure that this agreement contributes to peace and prosperity beyond the Middle East.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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