President Lee Jae-myung departed Seoul on Tuesday for a diplomatic tour of Europe to attend the G7 summit [1].
The trip marks the president's first visit to Europe since taking office. It comes as South Korea seeks to strengthen international cooperation and expand economic ties amid a period of global instability.
The itinerary spans nine nights and 10 days [1]. The president's first stop is Brussels, Belgium, where he is scheduled to meet with the Belgian prime minister and king on Wednesday [1]. These meetings coincide with the 125th anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Belgium [1].
President Lee said the visit is intended to broaden the horizons of cooperation within a global complex crisis to support the national economy.
Following the meetings in Belgium, the presidential delegation will travel to Italy and the Vatican [1]. The delegation includes First Lady Kim Hye-kyung, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, Interior Minister Yoon Ho-jung, Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik, and Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Hong Ik-pyo [1].
President Lee said this is the first time he has visited Europe since his inauguration.
The G7 summit serves as the primary anchor for the trip, providing a platform for the president to engage with world leaders on security and economic policy. The administration is emphasizing the need for multilateral partnerships to navigate current global crises [1].
“President Lee Jae-myung departed Seoul on Tuesday for a diplomatic tour of Europe to attend the G7 summit.”
This diplomatic tour signals South Korea's intent to elevate its role in global governance by engaging directly with G7 nations. By timing the visit with the 125th anniversary of ties with Belgium and including stops in Italy and the Vatican, the administration is attempting to balance high-level security discussions at the summit with the reinforcement of long-standing European bilateral partnerships.
