Korea to Host G20 in 2028... Second Time After 2010, "A Deep Sense of Responsibility"
Session 3: Proposing AI-Based Society, Critical Minerals, and Youth Empowerment as Key Themes for a 'Fair Future'
Sessions 1 and 2: Emphasizing Reduction of Gaps a
During the G20 Summit held in South Africa, President Lee Jaemyung presented a vision centered on "AI-based inclusive growth" and the "restructuring of critical mineral supply chains," expanding the stage for pragmatic, national interest-driven diplomacy to the Global South, along with Korea's assumption of the G20 presidency in 2028. In particular, President Lee is credited with enhancing Korea's diplomatic stature by emphasizing the restoration of multilateralism, starting from "reducing gaps and inequalities," and proposing agendas such as "responding to climate change and disasters," "a fair future," and "expanding digital opportunities." After completing the G20 schedule, President Lee is set to hold a one-night, two-day summit in T?rkiye, the final stop of his Middle East and Africa tour, to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation in the defense and nuclear energy sectors.
On the 23rd (local time), during the final third session of the G20 summit under the theme of "Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability," President Lee personally announced that Korea would serve as the G20 presidency in 2028, stating, "As the chair country in 2028, marking the 20th anniversary of the G20's launch, I will fulfill my role with a strong sense of responsibility." President Lee highlighted that "Korea is a country that helped design the G20, which has served as a compass for the international community in times of crisis," actively emphasizing the significance of taking on the G20 presidency for the second time since the Seoul G20 in 2010.
Oh Hyunjoo, Third Deputy Director of the National Security Office, explained in a local briefing, "Assuming the presidency this time has elevated Korea's national prestige," adding, "President Lee will hold the G20 presidency in addition to the United Nations Security Council and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit during his term." She also expressed the expectation that, as 2028 marks the 20th anniversary of the G20, this will provide an opportunity to lead cooperation in response to complex crises.
AI-Based Society, Critical Minerals, and Youth Empowerment... Three Key Proposals for a 'Fair Future'
In the final third session titled "A Fair Future for All," President Lee proposed three key agendas: ▲an AI-based society ▲a stable supply chain for critical minerals ▲empowerment of youth and women. President Lee stated, "Technological advancement must provide equal opportunities to all countries and all people," and welcomed the G20's adoption of the "AI for Africa" initiative.
President Lee also revisited his "Global AI-Based Society" vision, previously presented at the United Nations General Assembly and the Gyeongju APEC Summit. He pledged to link the "APEC AI Initiative," announced as chair at this year's Gyeongju APEC, to G20 discussions, promising, "I will work to ensure that this vision spreads beyond the Asia-Pacific region to the entire world."
He also stressed the need to establish a stable supply chain for critical minerals, emphasizing that the international community must unite to overcome the intensifying rivalry between the United States and China over rare earth supply chains. President Lee evaluated the "G20 Critical Minerals Framework" discussed at this year's summit as significant, stating, "We must build a stable and mutually beneficial supply chain so that countries with critical minerals and countries in need can share the benefits." He also highlighted Korea's efforts to expand cooperation as the chair of the "Critical Minerals Security Partnership" and to strengthen trust-based cooperation through the "Korea-Africa Critical Minerals Dialogue."
Regarding inclusive opportunity creation, President Lee listed examples such as Korea's ongoing "AI Digital Learning Center," youth-tailored AI education, support for mathematics and science education in Ghana and Tanzania, and the establishment of a software-specialized high school in Rwanda, pledging, "We will actively support the digital empowerment of African women and youth."
"Reducing Gaps and Inequalities"... Three Solutions: Developing Country Debt, Restoring Multilateral Trade, and Maximizing Development Cooperation
On the first day of the summit, during the first session themed "Inclusive and Sustainable Growth That Leaves No One Behind," President Lee emphasized the need to "reduce gaps and inequalities and pursue shared prosperity," proposing three solutions: ▲improving debt vulnerability in developing countries ▲restoring the functions of the multilateral trading system ▲international cooperation to maximize development effectiveness in developing countries.
Regarding developing country debt, he suggested improving the structure through a "virtuous cycle" that reduces debt ratios. President Lee diagnosed that excessive debt burdens are limiting investment capacity for growth and weakening the driving force for sustainable development, stating, "We must concentrate resources on sectors with high growth potential to create wealth and reduce debt ratios." He cited Korea's "performance-based fiscal policy," which invests in future growth sectors such as AI to increase total production and lower the debt ratio in the long term, as an example.
He also called for restoring the role of international organizations. In particular, President Lee stressed the need to create a predictable trade and investment environment to enhance growth potential and emphasized the importance of restoring the functions of the World Trade Organization (WTO). He pledged to work toward the formal adoption of the "Investment Facilitation Agreement," designed under Korea's leadership, at the WTO Ministerial Conference to be held in Africa next year.
President Lee also mentioned the international community's role in enhancing the effectiveness of development cooperation, highlighting Korea's leadership in the "Busan Global Partnership Forum" and the G20-level discussions on the "Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) Reform Roadmap Evaluation and Reporting System." He also expressed his intention to continue solidarity with developing countries through G20 channels, such as the Africa cooperation framework.
"Rain Does Not Fall on Only One Roof"... Emphasizing the Link Between Climate, Disasters, and Food
Continuing from the first session, in the second session held the same day under the theme "A Resilient World," President Lee defined climate, disaster, food, and energy transition as "interconnected structural threats," suggesting that "if we absorb shocks and strengthen resilience, we can create new opportunities and a foundation for growth."
Taking the floor, President Lee quoted an African proverb, "Rain does not fall on only one roof," to remind participants that disasters and climate crises in one region affect the entire world. He also mentioned that Korea has confirmed its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for 2035 and its mid- to long-term climate-resilient development pathway, stating, "As a responsible member of the international community, Korea will participate in responding to climate change."
Regarding the energy transition, he introduced the vision of a renewable energy-based "energy highway." He elaborated that Korea is expanding offshore wind power clusters and decentralized power grids, and spreading models such as "solar income and wind income" that share the benefits of renewable energy with the public.
On disaster response, he stated, "We must restructure systems to focus on prevention and resilience," expressing support for the "multi-hazard early warning system" introduced by the G20 Disaster Risk Reduction Ministerial Meeting. President Lee shared Korea's experience in establishing flood early warning systems for Asia-Pacific countries and pledged to continue supporting countries at risk of being left behind in disaster preparedness.
Emphasizing "Restoration of Multilateralism" at the MIKTA Meeting... Opportunity to Expand Pragmatic Diplomacy to the 'Global South'
President Lee also engaged in multilateral and bilateral diplomatic activities on the sidelines of the G20. In particular, as chair, he presided over the MIKTA (Korea, Mexico, Indonesia, T?rkiye, Australia) summit of middle-power countries, leading to a joint press statement reaffirming the role of bridging the restoration of multilateralism and strengthening international cooperation. The declaration also included support for building peace on the Korean Peninsula.
In the statement, MIKTA leaders expressed deep concern over the complex and multifaceted challenges facing the international community, such as geopolitical tensions, global economic uncertainty, supply chain complexity, poverty and inequality, the climate crisis, and digital transformation, stating, "In this reality, we reaffirm our shared commitment to multilateralism, strengthening international cooperation, democracy, and adherence to international law."
The Office of the President assessed that this G20 Summit served as an opportunity to expand the horizon of pragmatic, national interest-driven diplomacy to the Global South, including Africa. The next challenge will be whether the agendas raised by President Lee at each G20 session and the MIKTA meeting-restoring the multilateral trading system, responding to climate change and disasters, securing critical mineral supply chains, and bridging the digital divide through AI-will become the main framework for Korea's foreign and economic policy in the coming years.
Meanwhile, at this summit, the "G20 South Africa Leaders' Declaration," prepared by South Africa, was exceptionally adopted on the first day. The 30-page, 122-article declaration reaffirmed the commitment of all member countries to participate on an equal footing based on the spirit of multilateralism. It also included the seriousness of climate change, the need for adaptation, and goals for expanding renewable energy, which the United States had previously opposed.
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