Seoul: President Lee Jae-myung’s recent phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump marks an important step in South Korea’s diplomatic journey as he prepares to attend the Group of 7 (G7) summit in Canada. This phone conversation, which took place just three days after Lee’s election victory, highlights the new administration’s focus on pragmatic diplomacy. Trump extended an invitation for Lee to visit the United States, while Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has invited Lee to the G7 summit as an observer, setting the stage for face-to-face meetings.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the leaders’ discussion primarily focused on resolving tariff issues, a pressing concern for both nations. However, they avoided sensitive topics such as the North Korean threat and the future of U.S. forces in Korea. The presidential office in Seoul described the call as “friendly and constructive,” with mutual respect and a reaffirmation of the Korea-U.S. alliance. Despite this, the White House has not issued any formal comments, and Trump’s social media accounts remain silent on the matter, suggesting a cautious approach by Washington in understanding Lee’s pragmatic foreign policy.
Lee’s approach represents a shift from the previous administration’s value-driven diplomacy, which emphasized the Korea-U.S. alliance and trilateral security with Japan. While this strategy was well-received in the West, it limited Korea’s diplomatic flexibility regarding North Korea, China, and Russia. The Lee administration’s focus on practical interests has raised concerns about potentially weakening longstanding security alignments or appearing ambiguous amid the U.S.-China rivalry.
Lee’s participation in the G7 summit holds significant potential to demonstrate his pragmatic diplomacy on a global stage and address skepticism about his foreign policy orientation. He must balance a clear commitment to the Korea-U.S. alliance with the need to expand Korea’s diplomatic flexibility.
The G7 appearance also marks the resumption of Korea’s top-level diplomacy, which had stalled due to the Dec. 3 martial law crisis. The incident, involving soldiers entering the National Assembly, shocked global audiences and damaged Korea’s democratic image. The G7 summit offers a chance for Korea to restore its democratic standing and reassure the international community of its stable and engaged leadership.