The French Republic, holding the presidency of the Group of Seven (G7) for 2026, has officially invited South Korea to participate in the upcoming G7 Summit. The Blue House (Cheong Wa Dae) confirmed on the 27th that it is currently reviewing the proposal, weighing domestic and international variables before finalizing attendance.

Strengthening the "G7 Plus" Framework
According to a spokesperson for the Blue House, the South Korean government is carefully analyzing the invitation. "We are currently conducting a comprehensive review of our participation, taking into account our official diplomatic calendar and the broader international landscape," the official stated.

The Elysee Palace, the official residence of the French President, announced on the 26th (local time) its intent to invite the leaders of South Korea, India, Brazil, and Kenya to the summit scheduled for this June in Evian, France.

The G7—comprising the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, and Canada—serves as a primary forum for the world’s leading liberal democracies. As the presiding nation, France possesses the prerogative to invite non-member states and international organizations to participate in "Outreach Sessions" to discuss global challenges such as climate change, economic stability, and international security.

A Pattern of Global Recognition
South Korea’s invitation to the Evian Summit marks a continued trend of the nation being recognized as a pivotal global actor. Following invitations to the UK-hosted summit in 2021, the Hiroshima summit in Japan in 2023, and the Canadian summit last year (2025), this latest gesture from France reaffirms Seoul's standing within the unofficial "G7 Plus" framework.

The Blue House noted that the two nations have maintained "close consultation and communication" leading up to this announcement. "During this process, France explicitly conveyed its desire to have South Korea participate in this year’s summit," the spokesperson added.

Strategic Diplomacy in a Multipolar World
The choice of invitees—South Korea, India, Brazil, and Kenya—reflects France's strategic focus on engaging the "Global South" and key democratic allies to address fragmented geopolitical realities. For South Korea, participation would offer a high-level platform to voice its positions on supply chain resilience, North Korean denuclearization, and digital governance.

If President Lee Jae-myung confirms his attendance, it will provide an opportunity for crucial bilateral meetings with world leaders, potentially following up on initiatives discussed during the 2025 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta.

As the international community watches closely, Seoul’s decision is expected to be announced in the coming weeks. Diplomatic experts suggest that given the consistency of Korea's involvement in recent years, attendance is highly likely, barring any unforeseen domestic crises.

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