Trump suggests G7 should be postponed to Sept., membership should include S. Korea as well

  • 4 years ago
트럼프, G7 정상회의에 한국도 초청 희망…9월께 개최 추진

U.S. President Donald Trump has invited South Korea and other countries to this year's G7 summit,... which he said will be held in-person this fall.
While such a proposal underlines Seoul's elevated global profile,... this could also complicate the country's diplomacy with China if Washington uses the summit to rally support for its pressure campaign against Beijing.
Kim Hyo-sun reports.
U.S. President Donald Trump says membership to the Group of 7 should also include South Korea, Russia, Australia and India.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday,... he also said the meeting will be postponed to September,... adding a new date has yet to be confirmed.
He says the meeting will take place as the U.S. "transitions back to greatness."
"Because the G7, the president wants to see this take place as America reel opens, as we try to approach a place of normalcy where people go back to work, where people do recreational activities, but socially distance while they do it The president thinks no greater example of reopening in his transition to greatness, would be the G-7."
Amid the global COVID-19 pandemic,... President Trump announced in March that the meeting would be cancelled and the leaders would hold a video conference instead.
He also explained that the current makeup of the group,... which includes Canada, France, Germany and Japan,... is outdated.
He also said the group does not properly represent what is going on in the world.
The proposed invitation implies South Korea's enhanced international status,... especially amid the pandemic.
Such an expansion, however, could leave South Korea in a tough spot.
Especially if Washington uses the group to garner support for its campaign to increase pressure on China following Beijing's passing of the new controversial national security law that effectively clamps down on Hong Kong.
This could present complications for Seoul, as Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to visit South Korea sometime this year.
In Seoul,... the presidential office is cautious about President Trump's proposal,... explaining there was no prior consultation, but the allies will discuss the matter going forward.
Kim Hyo-sun, Arirang News.