President Lee speaks during a Cabinet meeting and emergency economic review session at the Blue House on June 2. / Yonhap News

President Lee Jae‑myung will visit Europe from June 9 to 18 to attend the G7 summit in Évian, France.

Wi Sung‑rak, Director of the National Security Office, announced the president’s diplomatic schedule at a briefing on June 5.

For the first leg of his European tour, President Lee will visit Brussels, Belgium, on June 9 and 10, where he will hold summit talks with Belgium and the European Union (EU).

On June 12–13, at the invitation of Italian President Sergio Mattarella, President Lee will make a state visit to Italy. In Rome, he will hold summit talks with President Mattarella and also meet Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. As part of the official state program, he plans to visit Florence as well.

On June 14, President Lee will visit the Vatican and attend a “Special Mass for Peace and Solidarity” at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. On June 15, he will meet Pope Leo XIV.

President Lee will then attend the G7 summit in Évian, France, on June 16–17.

Wi emphasized the expected outcome of the EU visit as “the full‑scale launch of Korea’s diplomacy toward Europe.”

He added, “With a population of 450 million, 27 member states, and a GDP of €18 trillion, the EU is the world’s largest trading bloc and Korea’s third‑largest trading partner. Sharing values such as rules‑based multilateralism, democracy, and market economy, the EU is an essential partner for Korea’s rise as a G7+ global power.”

Wi also expressed expectations that the EU visit would strengthen economic diplomacy to support Korean companies’ entry into the European market and protect their interests, while expanding the horizon of security cooperation.

He stated, “Since the EU determines trade policy for all 27 member states, summit talks with the EU will help broaden export opportunities for Korean companies and create a more favorable environment for those already operating in Europe.”

He added, “Based on the ‘Security and Defense Partnership’ adopted in 2024, we plan to receive closer information sharing from the EU and strengthen cooperation against transnational crimes such as drugs and terrorism.”

Regarding the Vatican visit, Wi said, “It will be an opportunity to reaffirm the Holy See’s continued support and interest in peace on the Korean Peninsula.”

On Korea’s participation in the G7 summit for the second consecutive year, Wi said, “We expect to solidify our status as a G7 Plus global responsible power.”

He continued, “We will join the G7’s efforts to address global vulnerabilities such as imbalances, critical minerals, digital issues, and narcotics, and as the G20 chair in 2028, we will continue to lead cooperation on related agendas, producing tangible results that benefit both the global economy and Korea’s national interests.”

Whether President Lee will hold talks with U.S. President Donald Trump during the summit remains uncertain.

A senior Blue House official said, “Discussions are underway, but nothing has been agreed upon. We plan to hold a bilateral meeting if possible during the G7 summit.”

The official added, “We first need to confirm whether President Trump will attend. If the opportunity arises, we may pursue it, but as of now, nothing has been concretely agreed.”

                                                                                                               Hong Sun‑mi