South Korean President to visit Europe for G7 summit, Vatican meeting

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung will travel to Europe from June 11-18 to attend the G7 summit in Évian, France, and engage in high-level diplomatic meetings. The trip includes stops in Belgium, Italy, and France, where Lee will meet Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, European Council President António Costa, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The focus is on expanding South Korean companies’ market access in Europe and deepening cooperation on security, energy, and critical mineral supply chains amid global uncertainties, including the Middle East conflict. Lee’s state visit to Italy from June 12-13 will include meetings with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, along with a business roundtable in Florence to foster corporate ties. On June 14, he will visit the Vatican, attending a Mass for peace and solidarity at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls before meeting Pope Leo XIV the following day. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac emphasized the EU’s significance as South Korea’s third-largest trading partner and a key ally in promoting a rules-based international order. The G7 summit, hosted by France from June 15-17, will see South Korea participate for the second consecutive year, reinforcing its diplomatic influence as a ‘G7-plus globally responsible power.’ Seoul plans to contribute to discussions on economic imbalances, critical minerals, digital issues, and transnational crimes, including drugs and terrorism. Wi noted that the EU’s unified trade policy will be leveraged to improve export opportunities for South Korean firms. South Korea also aims to expand its security partnership with the EU, building on a 2024 agreement by enhancing intelligence sharing and countering transnational threats. The Vatican visit is intended to reaffirm the Holy See’s support for peace on the Korean Peninsula. While Lee may seek a bilateral meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump during the G7 summit, no specific arrangement has been confirmed, though Trump has indicated his attendance.