President Moon to Take the Global Diplomatic Stage at G7... Korea-Japan Summit 'Unlikely'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Attention is focused on whether President Moon Jae-in, who demonstrated global climate diplomacy capabilities at last month's P4G Seoul Summit, will continue to take the lead at the upcoming Group of Seven (G7) Summit held in Cornwall, UK, from the 11th to the 13th (local time). Due to the deterioration of Korea-Japan relations, it seems unlikely that a Korea-Japan summit will take place.

On the afternoon of the 3rd, President Moon had a phone conversation with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and exchanged views regarding the G7 Summit.

At this G7 Summit, South Korea will participate as an invited country on agendas including ▲health cooperation ▲climate change response ▲democratic values. This consideration is based on South Korea's successful COVID-19 containment efforts, active implementation of the Korean New Deal, and the 2050 carbon neutrality declaration.

Prime Minister Johnson also stated during the call, "We expect invited countries, including South Korea, to provide diverse perspectives on major issues such as health and climate change and to broaden the scope of discussions."

President Moon, who consolidated global climate response will at last month's P4G Seoul Summit by announcing the Seoul Declaration, is expected to play a significant role in climate change and COVID-19 response at this G7 Summit as well.

President Moon expressed, "I hope that practical solutions for overcoming COVID-19 and preparing for future pandemics will be derived at the G7 Summit," and regarding climate change response, he stated that South Korea will act as a bridge between developed and developing countries.

Some have speculated that Korea-US-Japan or Korea-Japan summits might be held at this G7, but the likelihood of such meetings appears low.

On the 5th, Japan's Kyodo News, citing multiple Japanese government sources, reported that ahead of the G7 Summit, the Japanese government has decided not to coordinate a Korea-Japan summit. In response to some reports suggesting the possibility of a Korea-US-Japan summit during the G7, a South Korean Foreign Ministry official stated, "There is no plan to pursue this."