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| President Moon Jae-in accepted U.S. President Donald Trump's invitation of Korea to a G7 Summit in September during their phone talks, Monday. / Yonhap |
By Kang Seung-woo
President Moon Jae-in's acceptance of an invitation from U.S. President Donald Trump to join this year's expanded G7 Summit is expected to go down in history as one of the nation's diplomatic achievements.
Korea's attendance at the meeting of the seven largest advanced economies is seen as an opportunity to play a larger role on the international stage, which will further boost its global recognition that is now being raised by its successful handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, Trump wants to use the meeting of world leaders, scheduled for September ― in the U.S. ― as a chance to discuss how to deal with China amid worsening Sino-U.S. relations, so the government is advised to take a thoughtful and level-headed approach to the event.
Moon accepted the invitation during a 15-minute phone conversation with Trump, Monday night, during which they also talked about the American leader's plan to add four countries ― Australia, India and Russia, as well as Korea ― to the annual summit.
When Trump's plan first made headlines, Sunday, it was uncertain whether he meant temporarily adding the four nations to the meeting or permanently reformatting the group, but he confirmed his plan to officially broaden the G7.
Although Korea needs approval from the existing seven G7 members ― Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the U.S. ― before gaining membership, the invitation alone signals that Korean diplomacy is about to enter a new phase.
Despite the fast deterioration of U.S.-China ties, Moon's acceptance in the face of the possible economic fallout from Beijing means that he sees Korea's G7 participation as a stepping stone to join the pantheon of the world's leading countries in the post-coronavirus period.
"Korea will play as much of a role as it can over both quarantine and the economy," Moon was quoted as telling Trump.
A Cheong Wa Dae official said, "President Trump's invitation is the result of Korea's rise in strategic value. There is no need to reject a chance to have a bigger say to the international community, considering the national interest."
The G7 expansion plan comes as the Trump administration is ramping up efforts to keep China at bay in its "new Cold War," which is alarming Korean strategists who think Moon's invitation acceptance might offend Beijing.
In the wake of the deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system here by the U.S. in 2016, China responded with economic retaliation against Korean companies, which they have yet to fully recover from.
"Although Trump may want to discuss China at the G7 meeting, its basic goal is to shape key decisions in the management of global political and economic affairs. As taking issue with China would run counter to the international order, we can also express disapproval of any move to isolate China alongside other member countries," said Park Won-gon, a professor of international politics at Handong Global University.
"The Korean government doesn't need to seek China's understanding for its G7 attendance, but we should establish our own strategic stance for the summit."
Leif-Eric Easley, an associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University, also said, "The countries of the G7 won't form an anti-China coalition but will rather strengthen international norms and cooperation."
