The core agenda of this G7 summit is summarized as ‘building new partnerships and rebuilding international solidarity.’ In a situation where international development assistance is shrinking due to the recent geopolitical crisis and economic recession, President Lee is focusing on presenting a new model of cooperation that can coexist between donor and recipient countries. In particular, we emphasize practical solutions that move away from unilateral aid that simply transfers financial resources and help recipient countries leverage public resources to induce private investment and achieve economic independence. This shows that Korea is being reborn from a country that received aid in the past to a 'global pivotal country' that is now resolving international imbalances as a globally responsible powerhouse.

In modern society, where the technological gap leads to economic inequality, the vision of a 'global AI basic society' emphasized by President Lee is by far the highlight of this meeting. Ensuring that the benefits of artificial intelligence technology are not concentrated only in developed countries is an essential task for the common future of humanity. The Korean government's plan to build a global AI hub is not simply about securing technological superiority, but also contains an international promise to reduce the digital gap that AI can cause and ensure universal technological benefits. Leaders of each country are showing keen interest in whether Korea's leading actions can become a proper milestone for future technological development, and through this, Korea is solidifying its position as a normative power beyond a technological powerhouse.

This meeting also carries special weight in that it is the first gathering of G7 leaders since the huge geopolitical inflection point of the US-Iran agreement to end the war. The world's attention is naturally turning to whether the bilateral meeting between President Lee and U.S. President Donald Trump will be successful. Although the Blue House is maintaining a cautious attitude, there is a good chance that Korea's role will emerge in subsequent discussions on stabilization of the Strait of Hormuz after the end of the war and reconstruction projects worth hundreds of billions of dollars. The international community is closely watching how Korea will use the G7 as an opportunity to begin full-scale diplomacy with Europe and further establish itself as a key player in global security and economic reconstruction.

Korea's invitation to the G7 for two consecutive years proves that the Republic of Korea is no longer an observer on the periphery, but a proud member leading the international agenda. The diplomatic line, including National Security Office Director Wi Sung-rak, plans to solidify Korea's status through this trip and establish its image as a country that contributes substantially to resolving global issues. As President Lee announced on social media, this is an opportunity to confirm the international community's deep trust in the Republic of Korea, and is also a process to verify Korea's future growth engine on the world stage. As a result, this Evian conference will serve as a bridgehead to expand the horizons of Korean diplomacy beyond Europe and North America to the global level.