On June 2, Cheong Wa Dae spoke on the invitation to join the G7 summit extended by the United States and said, “It is not a one-time visit as an observer at the G7, but an invitation to join a new international system that could be the G11 or G12, which will significantly contribute to a higher international status and to national interest.” Cheong Wa Dae interpreted the participation in an expanded G7 summit as an opportunity to strengthen the international status of South Korea in the post-COVID-19 era. This has drawn views that the nation is in need of a strategic response to the conflicts between the U.S. and China.

In a press briefing this day, Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson Kang Min-seok mentioned President Moon Jae-in’s attendance at the G7 and said, “This means that South Korea will join the countries leading the international order.” President Moon also confirmed the invitation before his phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump the previous night and said, “We welcome the invitation. There is absolutely no need to avoid it.”

Cheong Wa Dae said, “The possibility of the international diplomatic order shifting from the old G7 system to the G11 or G12 has increased.” The government expressed its expectations on the possible launch of a new international system of cooperation. Of course, the issue of expanding the membership of the G7 is not one that the U.S., this year’s chair, can decide on its own. President Trump suggested the expanded G7 summit be held sometime in September, but if COVID-19 continues to spread, an offline meeting may not be possible at all.

The diplomatic circle seems to assess President Moon’s acceptance of President Trump’s invitation in a positive light saying, “It was a proper and good decision.” Choi Kang, vice director of the Asan Institute for Policy Studies said, “It will be an opportunity to expand our horizon by taking part in a forum where countries leading the global economy discuss global issues, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the economy.”

However, some experts voiced concerns that the expanded G7 summit could be another stage for a new “Cold War” between the U.S. and China, as the confrontation between the two countries continues. President Trump has expressed strong skepticism for multilateralism, and behind his proposal to expand the G7 lies an intention to establish an “anti-China line” with ally countries. In particular, India and Australia, which were invited along with South Korea, are also part of the Indo-Pacific strategy, a defense line encircling China--a fact that supports such interpretations.

Zhao Lijian, the spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry also said, “An attempt to isolate China will not draw support,” and added, “Such actions do not work to the interests of the relevant countries.”

This day, a Cheong Wa Dae official said, “We don’t think China will oppose (South Korea’s participation at the G7).” Even if China eyes South Korea’s actions with concern, they will not be so serious as to deteriorate relations with China. Yet, South Korea, which is caught between the U.S. and China, will need to consider strategies when joining the G7 and work to manage its relationship with China. Some experts suggest delivering a message that leans neither toward the U.S. nor China, while emphasizing South Korea’s principles in responding to COVID-19--openness, transparency and democracy--and on free trade as an alternative. Park Won-gon, a professor of international studies at Handong Global University said, “We can propose a model for cooperation in quarantine efforts or express the view that isolating a certain country is not favorable according to the principle of free trade.” Woo Jung-yeop, the director of the Center for American Studies at the Sejong Institute said, “We need strengthen our alliance with the U.S. and prepare ways to minimize the damage from China’s retaliation,” and pointed out the need for close communication with China.