After Completing First In-Person Diplomatic Tour Since COVID-19, Moon Focused on Economy and Vaccine Diplomacy but Japan-Korea Relations Remain a Challenge

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] President Moon Jae-in returned home on the morning of the 18th after a 6-night, 8-day European tour. During this trip, he confirmed South Korea's changed global status and achieved various successes in economic vaccine cooperation diplomacy. However, unresolved issues such as the deterioration of Korea-Japan relations remained.

President Moon and the First Lady arrived at Seoul Airport in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, around 7:30 a.m. that day aboard Air Force One, concluding the 6-night, 8-day tour.

From the 11th to the 13th (local time), President Moon attended the G7 Summit and subsequently visited the United Kingdom, Austria, and Spain, conducting the first face-to-face diplomatic tour since the outbreak of COVID-19.

The Blue House evaluated that this tour confirmed South Korea's changed status in the world. South Korea was invited to the G7 Summit for the second consecutive time, and at the summit, President Moon stood shoulder to shoulder with U.S. President Joe Biden and U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson. President Moon announced a plan to provide up to $200 million by next year to supply COVID-19 vaccines to developing countries. In Austria, cooperation on 5G and hydrogen energy was discussed, while in Spain, construction infrastructure and tourism cooperation were expanded, and relations with both countries were elevated to strategic partnership status. Through meetings with CEOs of global pharmaceutical companies AstraZeneca and CureVac, vaccine supply stability was also secured.

However, the Korea-Japan summit, which was scheduled to take place during the G7, was canceled, and the governments of South Korea and Japan engaged in a blame game. President Moon's visit to Japan during the Tokyo Olympics also remained undecided, leaving the improvement of Korea-Japan relations as an unresolved task. Attention is also focused on whether President Moon, back in Korea, will hold a summit meeting with Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the People Power Party, who was elected on the 11th. However, regarding this, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Lee Cheol-hee stated, "Leader Lee has not requested a summit meeting."