Moon arrives in the UK to attend the G7 summit

CORNEWALL, UK, June 11 (Joint Press Corps-Yonhap) – South Korean President Moon Jae-in arrived in Cornwall, UK, on ​​Friday (local time) for the annual summit of the Group of Seven (G-7). .

The president will participate in the event at the invitation of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who is hosting the first major multilateral summit since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the “Extended” G7 Forum, to be held over two days through Sunday, in Britain’s southwest province, Moon plans to hold discussions on how to tackle global challenges such as health crises, climate change and trade disputes.

Other participants include the leaders of the G7 member states: the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom, as well as representatives of the European Union. The leaders of Australia, India and South Africa have also been invited, although Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate via video link, given the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic in his country.

Moon said the invitation of the Group of Seven to South Korea reflects the rise of the country’s international standing to a level comparable to that of the group’s member states.

During a cabinet meeting this week, Moon said his participation in the summit would serve as a “catalyst” for improving South Korean diplomacy.

He added that South Korea’s responsibility and role in the international community has now grown “more,” describing the G7 summit as an opportunity to broaden Seoul’s “diplomatic horizons” and enhance its role in solving outstanding global problems.

On the sidelines of the summit, Moon plans to hold individual talks with the leaders of the United Kingdom, Australia and the European Union.

A formal bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is not scheduled, according to officials from South Korea’s presidential office, Cheong Wa Dae. However, they left open the possibility of informal talks between the two, such as a private meeting in which US President Joe Biden could participate. The White House said “virtually anything is possible” when 10 to 12 leaders gather in a small space.