President Lee Proposes "Global AI Foundational Society" at G7 Summit

Attending the G7 Summit as an Invited Head of State
Requested Trump to Resolve North Korean Issue
Participated in the First Session of the Expanded Meeting
"Sharing AI Technology with All Countries for Joint Growth"
Expressed Support for Four Key Documents Including Cancer Eradication

President Lee Jae-myung attended the Group of Seven (G7) summit held in Evian, France, marking the final leg of his first European tour in his second year in office. President Lee participated as an invited head of state for the second consecutive year, standing alongside the leaders of major countries. At the first session of the expanded meeting, he presented South Korea's vision for "bridging diplomacy," focusing on multilateral development cooperation and the foundational society for artificial intelligence (AI).

President Lee Jae-myung is speaking at the expanded summit of the Group of Seven (G7) leaders held in Evian-les-Bains, France, on the 16th (local time). June 17, 2026 Yonhap News Agency.

Wearing a navy suit and a red-and-white striped tie, President Lee arrived at the G7 summit venue in Evian on the 16th (local time). He began his schedule with an official welcoming ceremony and commemorative photo with French President Emmanuel Macron, as well as the leaders of G7 member and invited countries (South Korea, India, Brazil, Kenya, and Egypt). President Macron greeted President Lee warmly at the event, saying, "How are you?" to which President Lee replied, "I'm so happy."

During the group photo session that followed, President Lee also met with U.S. President Donald Trump. President Trump asked President Lee about the current situation between North and South Korea, and President Lee requested that President Trump take the lead in achieving a peaceful resolution to the North Korean issue, just as he had resolved the Middle East conflict. President Trump reportedly expressed his intention to make efforts toward resolving the North Korean issue. Although it was not a formal U.S.-Korea summit, President Lee once again directly raised the issue of peace on the Korean Peninsula on the G7 multilateral stage.

President Lee then attended the first session of the expanded G7 meeting, held under the theme of "Building New Partnerships and Rebuilding International Solidarity." The leaders discussed ways to continue and strengthen development cooperation amid a trend of shrinking international development aid. President Lee emphasized the need for a new model of development cooperation, noting that while development needs are growing, public resources from donor countries are not keeping pace. He specifically proposed that recipient countries use public funds as a catalyst to spur private investment, thereby enhancing their capacity for economic self-reliance. Drawing on South Korea's experience of transitioning from an aid recipient to a donor country, he suggested establishing partnerships in which aid and investment, technology, and institutions move forward together.

In the AI sector, President Lee stressed that the technological gap should not lead to economic disparities. He said, "It is important to share the results of AI technological advancement with all countries and to grow together," introducing the government's vision for building a global AI foundational society and establishing a global AI hub. He also expressed South Korea's commitment to actively contributing to discussions on inclusive growth in the AI era. On this day, France, as the chair country, adopted three documents: "Mutually Beneficial International Partnership," "Cancer Eradication," and "Ebola Response." The South Korean government expressed its support for all three documents.

President Lee also held a series of summit meetings throughout the first day. He met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to discuss expanding cooperation in defense and security, energy, and critical minerals. President Lee emphasized, "As the global order is being reorganized, South Korea, as a powerhouse in the defense industry, is prepared to actively contribute to strengthening Canada's security capabilities based on mutual trust." With the announcement of the winner of Canada's 60 trillion won next-generation submarine project imminent, President Lee's summit diplomacy served as last-minute support.

The two leaders also agreed on the importance of establishing a stable energy supply chain. They agreed to expand mutually beneficial cooperation in crude oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and critical minerals, and to leverage the strengths of South Korea's advanced industrial capabilities and Canada's abundant resources and technological prowess. They also discussed ways to cooperate for peace and prosperity in the Middle East and the international community.

President Lee Jae-myung and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney shake hands ahead of a bilateral meeting on the 16th (local time) at the Group of Seven (G7) summit venue in Evian-les-Bains, France. 2026.6.17 Yonhap News
Photo by Yonhap News

President Lee also held bilateral talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to discuss ways to expand economic and security cooperation. President Lee stated, "Germany and South Korea have great potential for cooperation in many fields, including the economy, industry, science and technology, and security. I hope the two countries can work together to reach a new stage beyond what has come before." Chancellor Merz replied, "South Korea's status is highly regarded in Germany, and relations between the two countries are very good. Cooperation is progressing well." The two leaders also exchanged views on international affairs, including the situation in the Middle East and Ukraine, as well as the resumption of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and ending the war in Ukraine.

That evening, President Lee attended a concert and official dinner hosted by the French side. According to the Office of the President, President Lee and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung exchanged views with the spouses of other heads of state and representatives of international organizations at the official dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife. The Office of the President particularly noted, "At the dinner, President Lee was seated right next to President Trump, fostering friendship and discussing shared interests in depth."

President Lee will continue his G7 schedule on the 17th. The day's agenda includes the second session of the expanded meeting and a working luncheon. The second day's meeting, attended by the invited heads of state, is expected to continue discussions on major issues such as mitigating global economic imbalances, AI and digital topics, and energy and supply chains. Additional bilateral meetings may also be coordinated until just before President Lee returns to South Korea.

President Jae-myung Lee and First Lady Hye-kyung Kim are conversing with U.S. President Donald Trump before the official dinner of the Group of Seven (G7) Summit held in Evian-les-Bains, France, on June 16 (local time). 2026.6.17 Yonhap News Agency. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.