South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to visit Europe, attend G7 summit in France
Synopsis
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's 10-day European sweep — Belgium, Italy, the Vatican, and the G7 in France — is Seoul's most ambitious multilateral diplomatic push in years. The trip pairs trade deals with the EU, South Korea's third-largest partner, with a direct appeal to Pope Leo XIV for support on Korean Peninsula peace. It signals a deliberate pivot to European engagement at a moment of global realignment.
Key Takeaways
President Lee Jae Myung will visit Europe from 9–18 June , covering Belgium, Italy, the Vatican, and France.
Lee will attend the G7 summit in France on 16 June — South Korea's second consecutive G7 leaders' meeting.
In Brussels , he will meet Belgian PM Bart De Wever , King Philippe , and EU leaders , and sign a diplomatic-economic cooperation agreement.
A state visit to Italy includes summits with President Sergio Mattarella and PM Giorgia Meloni , plus a visit to Florence .
Lee will meet Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on 15 June and seek support for Korean Peninsula peace efforts.
The EU is South Korea's third-largest trading partner ; Belgium's Port of Antwerp-Bruges is Europe's second-largest seaport.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will embark on a 10-day European tour from 9–18 June, culminating in his participation at the Group of Seven (G7) summit in France scheduled for 15–17 June. The trip, confirmed by National Security Advisor Wi Sung-lac at a press briefing, will cover Belgium, Italy, the Vatican, and France, and marks South Korea's second consecutive year attending G7 leaders' meetings.
Key Stops and Summit Schedule
The tour opens in Brussels from Tuesday to Wednesday (10–11 June), where Lee will hold separate summit talks with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever and King Philippe. The visits coincide with the 125th anniversary of South Korea–Belgium diplomatic relations this year. A core agenda item will be deepening trade ties, including securing a stable European market foothold for South Korean companies through cooperation with Belgium's Port of Antwerp-Bruges — Europe's second-largest seaport.
Also in Brussels, Lee will hold a summit with the European Union (EU) — South Korea's third-largest trading partner — and is expected to sign a cooperation agreement covering diplomacy and economic collaboration.
Italy and the Vatican
From Thursday to Saturday (12–14 June), Lee will undertake a state visit to Italy at the invitation of President Sergio Mattarella. The two leaders will hold a summit followed by a joint press announcement. Lee will separately meet Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday and visit Florence the following day under Italy's special protocol for state guests.
On 14–15 June, Lee will travel to the Vatican, attending Mass at St. Peter's Basilica and meeting with Pope Leo XIV on 15 June. At the Mass, Lee plans to deliver a speech underscoring South Korea's commitment to global solidarity for peace and is expected to seek the Vatican's support for Seoul's efforts to advance peace on the Korean Peninsula.
G7 Summit in France
On 16 June, Lee will participate in a session of the G7 summit in France, where he is expected to stress the grouping's role in bridging advanced and developing nations. According to Wi, South Korea attended G7 leaders' meetings last year as well, making this the country's second consecutive participation.
Notably, South Korea is not a G7 member but was invited to attend — a reflection of Seoul's growing diplomatic weight in multilateral forums.
Strategic Significance of the Trip
Wi described the tour as an opportunity for Lee to expand his administration's diplomatic outreach to Europe while increasing Seoul's participation in discussions on key international issues. This comes amid South Korea's broader efforts to diversify its foreign policy partnerships beyond its traditional alliances, particularly as global supply chain realignments and geopolitical tensions reshape trade dynamics. The EU partnership, in particular, carries strategic importance as both sides seek alternatives amid US-China trade friction.
The trip is expected to conclude on 18 June, with Lee returning to Seoul having signed at least one formal cooperation agreement and held summits with six world leaders.
Point of View
Moral authority through the Vatican on the Korean Peninsula question, and multilateral legitimacy via the G7 — all in ten days. That breadth reflects Seoul's anxiety about over-dependence on Washington and Beijing at a time when both relationships carry rising uncertainty. The EU cooperation agreement, if it moves beyond symbolism, could be the most durable outcome of the trip. But the Korean Peninsula peace appeal to the Pope, while symbolically potent, will need to be backed by concrete proposals if it is to translate into any tangible diplomatic movement.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where will South Korean President Lee Jae Myung travel during his Europe visit?
President Lee will visit Belgium, Italy, the Vatican, and France between 9 and 18 June. The trip includes summit meetings in Brussels, a state visit to Italy, an audience with Pope Leo XIV, and participation in the G7 summit in France.
Why is South Korea attending the G7 summit in France?
South Korea was invited by the G7 grouping to attend the summit, scheduled for 15–17 June in France. This is Seoul's second consecutive year participating in G7 leaders' meetings, reflecting its growing role in multilateral diplomatic forums despite not being a formal G7 member.
What will President Lee discuss with the European Union in Brussels?
Lee is expected to sign a cooperation agreement with the EU covering diplomacy and economic collaboration. The EU is South Korea's third-largest trading partner, and the agreement is aimed at strengthening bilateral ties across trade and foreign policy.
Why is President Lee meeting Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican?
Lee plans to attend Mass at St. Peter's Basilica and hold talks with Pope Leo XIV on 15 June. He intends to deliver a speech on South Korea's commitment to global peace and seek the Vatican's support for Seoul's efforts to build peace on the Korean Peninsula.
What is the significance of South Korea's visit to Belgium?
The visit coincides with the 125th anniversary of South Korea–Belgium diplomatic relations. A key focus is expanding access to the European market for South Korean companies through cooperation with Belgium's Port of Antwerp-Bruges, Europe's second-largest seaport.
