KOREA DIGEST
Korea Digest is a monthly publication of the Korea Centre, School of International Relations and Politics, Mahatma Gandhi University, that compiles major political, security, economic and diplomatic developments in the Korean Peninsula. Korea Digest aims to track, highlight and provide brief analysis of important developments in the Korean Peninsula.
Korea Digest No. 24, June 2025
Contents
- Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung sworn in as South Korean President
- President Lee Jae-myung attended the G7 Summit in Canada
- President Lee Holds First Summit with Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba on the Sidelines of G7
- Russia’s security chief makes his second visit to Pyongyang in June,
- South Korea, U.S., and Japan conducted the First Trilateral Air Drill
- President Lee Jae-myung Skipped NATO Summit
- Trump Signals Possible Return to Diplomacy with North Korea
- Russian Culture Minister Visits North Korea to Mark Anniversary of Strategic Partnership Treaty
Prepared by
Rekha J, Project Fellow, Korea Centre
- Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung sworn in as South Korean President
Democratic Party Leader Lee Jae-myung sworn in as the new President of South Korea, marking a new shift in the nation’s political scene. According to the final results released by the National Election Commission, Lee collected 49.42% of the vote, securing 17,287,513 ballots. This strong lead saw him defeat his closest rival, Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party, who received 41.15% (14,395,639 votes). Lee Jun-seok of the Reform Party obtained 8.34% (2,917,523 votes), falling short of the 10% threshold for campaign expense reimbursement, while Kwon Young-gook of the Democratic Labor Party secured 0.98% (344,150 votes).
In his inaugural address, President Lee emphasised themes of national unity, democratic resilience, and pragmatic governance. He stated that “I will strive to unite the people and ensure that our democratic institutions remain strong and untouchable,”. He further pledged to address political polarization, establish a practical and inclusive administration, and immediately launch an emergency economic task force to confront pressing national challenges.
Lee’s performance sets a new record for a Democratic Party candidate, surpassing the 48.9% achieved by former President Roh Moo-hyun in 2002. This victory is further strengthened by his party’s substantial legislative majority, holding 171 seats in the 300-member National Assembly, providing President Lee with significant political capital for strong executive leadership. President Lee’s victory brings an end to conservative rule and opens a new chapter of progressive leadership in South Korea.
2. President Lee Jae-myung Attended G7 Summit in Canada
President Lee Jae-myung attended the Group of Seven (G7) Summit held in Kananaskis, Canada, from June 16 to 17, marking his first appearance on the global diplomatic stage since assuming office. His participation signalled a new commitment to South Korea’s global engagement and pragmatic diplomacy under his administration. During the summit, President Lee held nine bilateral meetings with the leaders of South Africa, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, India, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan, and Canada.
Lee used the G7 platform to propose initiatives, including his vision of transforming South Korea into a global leader in artificial intelligence. He outlined a comprehensive “nationwide AI transformation” strategy, which includes aggressive tax incentives, regulatory reforms, and the creation of a private-sector fund supported by citizen contributions. On the energy front, President Lee introduced plans for an innovative energy infrastructure, proposing projects such as an “energy highway”—an ultrahigh-voltage direct current transmission network built underwater. He also advocated for the deployment of microgrids, energy storage systems, and an AI-powered electricity supply system aimed at enhancing efficiency and sustainability. As a guest participant at the G7, President Lee signed two important international documents: the Kananaskis Wildfire Charter and the G7 Critical Mineral Action Plan, further aligning South Korea with global efforts to address climate change and ensure resilient supply chains for strategic resources.
3. President Lee Holds First Summit with Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba on the Sidelines of G7
President Lee Jae-myung met with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on June 17 on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada, marking the first South Korea–Japan summit since President Lee took office. During the meeting, the two leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to improving bilateral relations in the face of evolving regional and global challenges. They also underscored the importance of strengthening trilateral cooperation with the United States, particularly in addressing regional security concerns, including the North Korean nuclear issue.
Both sides also agreed to promote more active and institutionalized dialogue between their respective ministries and agencies, grounded in mutual respect and trust. In addition, they pledged to continue discussions aimed at advancing shared national interests in key areas such as the economy, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.
The summit provides a clear message that President Lee is now willing to walk the same diplomatic path laid by his predecessor, Yoon Suk-yeol, despite having previously criticised Yoon’s efforts to restore ties with Tokyo. During his presidential campaign, Lee had sharply denounced the 2023 summit between Yoon and former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida as “the most humiliating moment” in South Korea’s diplomatic history and even labelled Yoon a “puppet” of Japan. However, shifting economic realities—particularly the shared challenges posed by unilateral trade measures under U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration—have urged a change in Lee’s stance. Indicating this shift, President Lee stated, “As challenges in the international trade environment and global affairs continue to grow, I believe close and complementary partners like the Republic of Korea and Japan can greatly benefit from cooperating in many areas.” The summit indicates a positive step forward in South Korea–Japan relations and suggests a broader willingness to prioritise strategic cooperation over past problems.
4. Russia’s security chief makes his second visit to North Korea in June
On June 17, Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of Russia’s Security Council, visited North Korea, marking his second visit to North Korea this month and his third in nearly three months. The frequency of these high-level visits shows the deepened military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang. According to North Korean state media, the talks focused on both immediate cooperation and long-term strategic planning, particularly in the context of implementing key agreements reached through recent personal correspondence between Kim and Putin. Shoigu stated that the intensity of these visits is closely tied to the rapid advancement of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty between the two nations. Russian media reported that, as an outcome of the meeting, North Korea has agreed to dispatch 5,000 military construction workers and 1,000 sappers to Russia’s Kursk region, signalling a significant step forward in bilateral defence cooperation. Additionally, he announced plans for Russia and North Korea to jointly establish memorials in honour of Korean soldiers who died during the liberation of the Kursk region, further deepening historical and symbolic ties. His previous visit to Pyongyang took place on June 5, when he also met with Kim. The rapid succession of these meetings indicates a notable intensification of military and strategic coordination between the two countries.
5. South Korea, U.S., and Japan Conduct First Trilateral Aerial Drill
On June 18, South Korea, the United States, and Japan conducted a trilateral joint aerial drill, marking the first such exercise since President Lee Jae-myung assumed office. The drill, which took place over the waters surrounding the Korean Peninsula, involved the deployment of two South Korean F-15K fighter jets, six U.S. F-16s, and two Japanese F-2 jets.
According to the Republic of Korea Air Force, the joint training aimed to strengthen trilateral security cooperation in the face of North Korea’s advancing nuclear and missile capabilities and to contribute to the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and the broader region. “We will continue to carry out trilateral air exercises grounded in the strong South Korea–U.S. alliance,” the Air Force stated. This marked the first trilateral air drill in approximately five months, with the previous exercise taking place on January 15, 2025, which included the participation of a U.S. B-1B Lancer strategic bomber.
In a show of provocation, North Korea responded to the latest joint drill by launching approximately 10 multiple-launch rockets into the Yellow Sea on the following day, underscoring persistent tensions in the region.
6. President Lee Jae-myung Skipped NATO Summit
President Lee Jae-myung skipped the NATO Summit held in The Hague on June 24–25, citing urgent domestic priorities and rising instability in the Middle East following a recent U.S. strike on Iranian nuclear facilities. The decision was announced shortly after reports emerged of the U.S. attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, which occurred just days ahead of the summit.
“Our government actively reviewed the president’s attendance at the NATO summit despite pressing items on the national agenda following his inauguration,” said National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac in a press briefing. “However, after comprehensively considering various domestic issues and uncertainties stemming from the situation in the Middle East, it has been decided that the president will not attend in person this time.”
Thus, President Lee’s absence has raised concerns that South Korea may miss a critical opportunity to hold its first bilateral summit with U.S. President Donald Trump. These concerns are heightened by reports that on the sidelines of the NATO summit, President Trump intends to convene a meeting of the Indo-Pacific Four (IP4)—South Korea, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. Also, President Lee’s withdrawal from the summit has drawn domestic and international criticism, with some observers questioning the coherence and consistency of his foreign policy approach during the early stages of his administration.
But unlike his predecessor, Yoon Suk-yeol, who pursued a value-based diplomacy, President Lee has been adopting a pragmatic foreign policy approach rooted in practical national interests. This has resulted in a disagreement from the strategic viewpoints of NATO member states on several key issues. Analysts note that President Lee does not currently view Europe as a high-priority opportunity, as many key agreements on arms sales are already in place and can be further advanced through bilateral, working-level discussions. Also, the notion that NATO could play a meaningful role in Asia’s deterrence is further viewed with doubt under Lee’s administration, particularly given that many European states are already preoccupied with the pressure of the ongoing threat from Russia. Further, Seoul also differed from NATO members in its assessment of the Israel–Iran conflict, resisting efforts to place sole blame on Iran. Furthermore, Lee’s approach to Russia, China, and North Korea echoes a shift from his predecessor’s policies, positioning South Korea more independently in its regional strategy, distinct from the broader consensus among US and NATO allies. As President Lee continues to define his foreign policy, his absence from the NATO summit shows an evolving diplomatic posture of South Korea.
7. Trump Signals Possible Return to Diplomacy with North Korea
On June 27, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he would “get the conflict solved with North Korea,” while also noting that “it wouldn’t involve us,” hinting at a potential return to high-level diplomacy with Pyongyang. Reports suggest that Trump recently drafted a personal letter to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and attempted to send it via the New York Channel—a diplomatic conduit at the United Nations. However, North Korean diplomats reportedly refused to accept the message.
Trump has a notable history of engagement with North Korea during his first term in office. He held three high-profile meetings with Kim: the historic Singapore Summit in June 2018, the Hanoi Summit in February 2019, and an impromptu encounter at the inter-Korean border in June 2019. And throughout their diplomatic engagement, Trump and Kim exchanged a total of 27 personal letters, which Trump famously referred to as “love letters,” highlighting the highly personalised nature of their communication. Thus, Trump’s latest comments raise the possibility of renewed dialogue with Pyongyang, even as formal diplomatic channels between the two countries remain largely inactive
8. Russian Culture Minister Visits North Korea to Mark Anniversary of Strategic Partnership Treaty
Russia’s Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova visited North Korea to commemorate the first anniversary of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty between the two countries. Leading a Russian delegation, Lyubimova arrived in Pyongyang on 28 June at the invitation of North Korea’s Ministry of Culture. During her visit, Minister Lyubimova held talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, focusing on expanding cultural and artistic cooperation between the two nations. Kim expressed appreciation for the broad and deepening exchanges that have taken place across various sectors since the treaty’s signing, noting that these efforts have contributed significantly to the mutual development and well-being of the peoples of both countries.
Minister Lyubimova emphasised that her visit coincides with a period in which the “solidity and invincibility” of North Korea–Russia friendship and solidarity are being demonstrated more clearly than ever. She remarked that cultural cooperation between the two nations has reached an unprecedented level. The visit indicates the growing significance of cultural diplomacy in strengthening the strategic partnership between Moscow and Pyongyang.