South Korea has been officially designated as the host of the 2028 G20 Leaders' Summit, as confirmed by the leaders' declaration at the summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. This announcement marks a significant milestone, as it will be the first G20 summit held in Korea since the 2010 Seoul Summit. The decision was welcomed by the presidential office, emphasizing Korea's commitment to global leadership and solidarity. The summit's timing is particularly notable, as it follows a series of diplomatic achievements, including Korea's presidency of the UN Security Council and its successful hosting of the APEC meeting. Despite initial tensions between the host country, South Africa, and the United States, the G20 leaders adopted the declaration on the opening day, showcasing the summit's dedication to international cooperation. The US's opposition to the declaration's content, which highlighted climate urgency and renewable energy goals, further underscored the summit's focus on global challenges. Korea's support for multilateral diplomacy and its commitment to a 'predictable' trading environment, as emphasized by President Lee Jae Myung, are key aspects of the country's global strategy. During the summit, Lee also highlighted the importance of development cooperation and the need to elevate the effectiveness of development initiatives in developing countries. In the context of the climate crisis, Korea reaffirmed its dedication to international efforts, establishing a 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution and mid- to long-term Climate-Resilient Development Pathways. Additionally, President Lee Jae Myung is expected to outline his vision for international cooperation in the age of AI during the summit's final session, emphasizing the need for global collaboration on technological innovation and AI transformation. His participation in bilateral summits with France and Germany further underscores Korea's commitment to global diplomacy and its willingness to engage in discussions on security, AI, and energy cooperation.
