Lee's planned meeting with Trump at G7 falls through as US leader leaves early

U.S. President Donald Trump arrives for a photo during the Group of Seven (G7) Summit at the Kananaskis Country Golf Course in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada, Monday (local time). AFP-Yonhap

CALGARY, Canada — A scheduled meeting between Korea's newly inaugurated President Lee Jae-myung and U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada will not take place, as Trump left the G7 event earlier than scheduled amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said Monday (local time) that a bilateral meeting between the two leaders had initially been scheduled for Tuesday, but the meeting was canceled due to Trump’s sudden change of plans.

"As President Trump unexpectedly returned to his country today, it has become difficult to proceed with the Korea-U.S. summit that was scheduled for tomorrow," Wi told reporters during a press briefing in Calgary, Canada.

"Such things occasionally happen during multilateral events, but it seems likely that it is related to the military conflict between Israel and Iran. We received a message from the U.S. side asking for our understanding."

U.S. President Donald Trump boards Air Force One at Calgary International Airport in Calgary, Canada, Monday (local time), on his way back to Washington. AP-Yonhap

Following the abrupt change, discussions are underway to reschedule the two leaders' summit, an official from the presidential office said.

"We are working to move it forward again and will try to arrange the meeting at the earliest possible opportunity," the official stated, adding that the summit could potentially take place during the upcoming NATO summit if both leaders attend the event. Lee's attendance has not been decided yet.

The official also emphasized that the cancellation should not be seen as a diplomatic discourtesy, despite the last-minute short notice from the U.S. "We were informed around the time the situation unfolded," the official explained.

However, the cause of Trump's early departure has not been clearly known. While speculation was that he returned to Washington to discuss the escalating Iran-Israel conflicts, he wrote on his Truth Social platform that the departure was "nothing to do" with the issue and was because of something "much bigger" than that.

National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac speaks during a press briefing held at a hotel in Calgary, Canada, Monday (local time). Yonhap

With the postponement of the Korea–U.S. summit, attention is shifting to the upcoming bilateral meeting between Seoul and Tokyo. The presidential office confirmed Lee will have a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Tuesday.

"The current administration’s foreign policy rests on three core pillars: a strong South Korea–U.S. alliance, deepening cooperation with Japan and trilateral security cooperation between the three countries. These serve as a framework for managing relations with China and Russia," the official noted.

The official emphasized the strategic importance of relations with Japan, with both historical sensitivities and future-oriented cooperation as key areas for dialogue.

Besides Japan, the presidential office said several more bilateral talks are being arranged, without disclosing the countries in detail.

President Lee Jae-myung and first lady Kim Hea-kyung, front row fourth from right, attend a G7 welcome reception hosted by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith at a hotel in Calgary, Canada, Monday (local time). Joint Press Corps

Meanwhile, Lee and first lady Kim Hea-kyung attended a reception hosted by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on Monday evening.

At the reception and dinner, the Korean president interacted and held conversations with several prominent figures, including U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, South African President Cyril Ramaphsa, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who is currently serving as Australia’s ambassador to the U.S.