G7 held on a powder keg, uncomfortable truths hidden behind the cheers of the end of the war > News

The hottest topic at this summit is by far the agreement to end the war between the United States and Iran and its follow-up measures. U.S. President Trump appears to have won the day by announcing the full opening of the Strait of Hormuz scheduled for the 19th, but in reality, there are still differences in interpretation with Iran over the right to collect tolls. Iran's position is that it is natural to collect fees for services, but President Trump completely denies this and emphasizes 'free sailing,' so considerable friction is expected during future working-level negotiations. In particular, French President Macron is expressing his willingness to actively intervene, including by dispatching French troops, saying that the stable opening of the Strait of Hormuz is essential for Europe's energy security. This goes beyond a simple strait management issue and suggests that the power struggle between Western powers and Iran over hegemony in the Middle East has entered a new phase.

What is heating up this meeting as much as the Iran issue is the US 'security bill' towards its allies. President Trump is urging allies to make substantial military contributions to mine removal operations in the Strait of Hormuz, which is also putting significant diplomatic pressure on invited countries, including Korea. Our government is carefully considering whether to dispatch troops, prioritizing the safety of isolated ships and the protection of its citizens, but it is caught in a dilemma between the expectations of the international community and the domestic political burden. Meanwhile, the war in Ukraine is also expected to be a key issue. The plan is to prepare specific negotiation conditions for establishing peace through a working meeting with President Zelensky, but it is still unclear whether Western support can lead to sustainable peace in a situation where Russia's fierce offensive continues.

The scenery outside the summit hall shows a cold reality that is quite different from the diplomatic discourse inside the conference hall. The violent protest of 20,000 people that took place in Geneva revealed the public's deep distrust of the capitalist order and great power centralism pursued by the G7. Protesters poured out intense criticism, defining the G7 as a symbol of wealth concentration, environmental destruction, and the gap between the rich and the poor. In the process, car arson and clashes with the police occurred, creating tense tension. This goes beyond simply opposition to a specific policy, and is a signal that structural anger against the current system in which a small number of powerful people monopolize wealth has reached a critical point. The authorities of each country blocking their borders and putting on tight security for the summit paradoxically show a cross-section of the democratic and social conflicts facing the world today.

South Korea's President Lee Jae-myung is continuing his steps to secure momentum for the Korean Peninsula peace process through this G7 summit. Meeting the Pope at the Vatican and officially requesting mediation in inter-Korean relations and a visit to North Korea is interpreted as a strategic move to draw international attention to issues on the Korean Peninsula. Although there remains a high barrier to whether or not North Korea will respond, it is a meaningful achievement to reaffirm the support of the Vatican and to crystallize the plan for peace on the Korean Peninsula. In addition, through attending the G7, we are aiming for multifaceted diplomatic achievements, such as strengthening relationships with major European countries and discussing economic growth plans. Although we are taking a cautious stance on the possibility of a meeting with President Trump, we are busier than ever in strengthening Korea's diplomatic position in the rapidly changing international situation.