South Korean President Lee Jae-myung attended the G7 summit in France on Wednesday, holding side-talks with U.S. President Donald Trump and other world leaders [1].
These meetings signal South Korea's intent to strengthen bilateral ties with G7 partners amid shifting geopolitical priorities in the Middle East and Eastern Europe.
During the summit, President Trump said Iran will never obtain a nuclear weapon [1]. Trump said he signaled a shift in U.S. focus toward Ukraine following an Iran deal [1]. President Lee also engaged in discussions with officials from Canada and Germany to address shared international concerns [1].
Beyond the diplomatic proceedings, South Korea's domestic achievements received international attention. The city of Daejeon was highlighted as an emerging international space city, marking the nation's growing influence in aerospace development [1].
In the realm of cultural exports, the Korean series “Teach You a Lesson” continued its global momentum. The show topped Netflix’s non-English chart for a second week, recording 21.1 million views [1].
Culinary arts also featured in the summit's broader cultural context. An interview with the head chef of Le Cordon Bleu explored the trends and influence of Korean temple food in France [1].
“Trump said Iran will never obtain a nuclear weapon”
The convergence of high-level security talks with the promotion of Daejeon's space capabilities and K-content suggests a dual-track strategy for South Korea. By balancing traditional security alliances with the U.S. and G7 while leveraging 'soft power' through Netflix and culinary trends, Seoul is attempting to solidify its status as a comprehensive global power.
