Editorial: Lee’s first step abroad should build trust with allies

President Lee Jae-myung will attend the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Canada on June 15. This marks his first appearance on the global diplomatic stage just over 10 days after taking office. Although South Korea is not a G7 member, it has been invited as an observer, attending for the fifth time. If Korea takes a leading role alongside economic peers like the U.K., France, and Italy, G8 membership may eventually be within reach.

Lee and U.S. President Trump held their first call on June 6 and agreed to meet soon. The G7 summit will mark their first face-to-face meeting. With Japan’s prime minister attending, a South Korea–U.S.–Japan trilateral summit may follow. Amid rapid global changes, this is a crucial chance to reaffirm and strengthen the South Korea–U.S. alliance and trilateral cooperation.

Lee faces tough challenges, including trade talks with the U.S. and the future of U.S. forces in South Korea. These issues are linked to the broader U.S.–China rivalry, often called the “Great Game.” The current U.S. diplomatic, military, and economic strategies focus squarely on containing China. Trump labeled China a strategic adversary during his first term, and his second term has intensified tariffs and naval buildup aimed at Beijing. The U.S. defense secretary has warned countries that pursue economic ties with China while depending on the U.S. for security, pledging to “contain communist China.” The previous U.S.–China balancing act is no longer feasible.

Right after the presidential election, the White House emphasized the U.S.–South Korea alliance and, unusually, included concerns about China’s interference and influence in its congratulatory message. This signaled Washington’s position that even allies tilting toward Beijing will not be ignored. Speculation about a Chinese invasion of Taiwan by 2027 is now openly discussed, and the Taiwan Strait issue is directly linked to the role and expansion of U.S. forces in Korea. This international climate may weigh on President Lee, but it also offers a potential opening to build trust with Trump.

President Lee should also consider attending the NATO summit in the Netherlands on June 24–25. Beyond domestic politics, it is the president’s key duty to engage actively in summit diplomacy and build trust capital with allies and partners.