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Lee Jae-myung, President of South Korea, arrives at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, on November 22 to attend the G20 Summit. / Source: Yonhap News

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung said on Saturday that Seoul’s assumption of the G20 presidency in 2028 marks a “heavy responsibility,” pledging that Korea will play a central role in strengthening global cooperation as the forum enters its third decade.

Speaking at the third session of the G20 Summit held in Johannesburg, South Africa, Lee highlighted Korea’s longstanding partnership with the grouping. “Korea is a nation that helped shape the G20, which has served as a compass for the international community in times of crisis,” he said.

The announcement follows the “G20 South Africa Leaders’ Declaration,” which formally confirmed Seoul as the 2028 host and chair of the world’s premier forum on global economic cooperation.

Oh Hyun-joo, South Korea’s deputy national security advisor, told reporters at the local press center that President Lee will, during his term, oversee leadership roles not only in the UN Security Council and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), but also in the G20, which she called “the highest-level platform for international economic governance.” She added that chairing the summit in 2028—the 20th anniversary of the G20’s elevation to a leaders’ forum—positions Korea to take a leading role in addressing complex global challenges.

During the session titled “A Fair Future for All,” Lee emphasized the importance of stable and mutually beneficial supply chains for critical minerals. “We must build secure and reciprocal supply chains so that both resource-rich nations and consumer countries can share the benefits,” he said.

He noted that Korea, as chair of the “Mineral Security Partnership,” has been expanding cooperation projects and strengthening trust-based collaboration through the “Korea-Africa Critical Minerals Dialogue.” Seoul, he added, will continue supporting global efforts to build resilient and equitable supply networks.

On artificial intelligence, Lee stressed that opportunities created by AI must be available to “all nations and all people.” He welcomed the G20’s announcement of the “AI for Africa Initiative,” saying Korea will work closely with the international community to advance a “global basic AI society” where the benefits of technology are widely shared.

“Technological progress brings both great opportunities and significant challenges,” Lee said. “AI innovation and stronger critical mineral supply chains must translate into inclusive opportunities for all.”