South Korean President accepts Trump's invitation to join G7 summit in September
South Korea President Moon Jae-in says he's willing to accept U.S. President Donald Trump's offer to join the G7 meeting, saying Seoul will play its role in the areas of COVID-19 quarantine and economy.
South Korea's top office said the two leaders spoke on the phone for 15 minutes on Monday at the request of President Trump.
The U.S. leader had earlier said he was postponing the G7 summit until September and he wanted to invite the leaders of South Korea, Australia, Russia and India.
During Monday's phonecall, President Trump reiterated the G7 is outdated and doesn't represent the current international situation, saying that with the additions it could be expanded to a G11 or G12.
Moon welcomed the idea, saying the G7 has limitations in dealing with global issues and finding solutions.
He stressed that, if the expanded summit is held in face-to-face format, it would be a milestone in light of the COVID-19 crisis and would be a signal that the world is returning to a normal life and economy.
The two leaders also agreed that adding Brazil would be appropriate given its population, economy and regional representation.
The call to join the pact of the world's largest advanced economies comes as President Trump wants to discuss how to deal with the future of China.
On other issues, Presidents Moon and Trump congratulated SpaceX's Crew Dragon's successful dock with the International Space Station.
President Moon said it planted a big dream for mankind and the U.S. has made history in the era of space exploration.
The two leaders last spoke in April following South Korea's general election.
South Korea's top office said the two leaders spoke on the phone for 15 minutes on Monday at the request of President Trump.
The U.S. leader had earlier said he was postponing the G7 summit until September and he wanted to invite the leaders of South Korea, Australia, Russia and India.
During Monday's phonecall, President Trump reiterated the G7 is outdated and doesn't represent the current international situation, saying that with the additions it could be expanded to a G11 or G12.
Moon welcomed the idea, saying the G7 has limitations in dealing with global issues and finding solutions.
He stressed that, if the expanded summit is held in face-to-face format, it would be a milestone in light of the COVID-19 crisis and would be a signal that the world is returning to a normal life and economy.
The two leaders also agreed that adding Brazil would be appropriate given its population, economy and regional representation.
The call to join the pact of the world's largest advanced economies comes as President Trump wants to discuss how to deal with the future of China.
On other issues, Presidents Moon and Trump congratulated SpaceX's Crew Dragon's successful dock with the International Space Station.
President Moon said it planted a big dream for mankind and the U.S. has made history in the era of space exploration.
The two leaders last spoke in April following South Korea's general election.
Source: Kim Min-ji, Arirang News.