South Korean President Lee Jae Myung discussed global energy security and AI cooperation at the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, on June 17, 2025.

The meeting included G7 members and invited partner nations. President Lee highlighted the importance of stabilizing mineral supply chains and diversifying energy sources.

He proposed a greater emphasis on renewable energy and introduced an “energy highway” infrastructure that would use high-voltage direct current transmission lines. Additionally, he mentioned technologies such as energy storage systems and AI-driven smart grids to enhance energy resilience.

Regarding AI, Lee advocated for a strong global ecosystem. He highlighted the need for private sector involvement and fair distribution of AI benefits.

He noted South Korea’s position as a semiconductor hub, which supports AI-related supply chains. Lee also discussed initiatives to promote AI transformation through tax incentives and public investment.

In a separate meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Lee reaffirmed South Korea’s commitment to global peace and prosperity. Guterres acknowledged the country’s contributions to issues like sustainable development and climate change.

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🔗 Source: The Korea Times

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Korea’s strategic positioning in critical minerals reflects economic evolution

Korea’s leadership in the Minerals Security Partnership highlights its transformation from a developing nation to a global economic powerhouse with strategic influence in supply chains.

The country’s GNI per capita rose dramatically from just $67 in 1953 to $32,115 in 2019, marking one of the most rapid economic transformations in modern history 1.

This economic evolution explains why Korea can now chair international partnerships on critical minerals, resources essential for renewable energy technologies, electric vehicles, and advanced electronics that drive the modern economy.

Korea’s emphasis on diversifying energy sources and securing mineral supply chains at the G7 reflects a pragmatic approach based on its own vulnerabilities as a resource-poor nation that built global leadership in technology-intensive industries.

The focus on “energy highways” and smart grids demonstrates how Korea is leveraging its technological strengths in semiconductors and IT infrastructure to address energy security challenges.

2️⃣ G7 outreach reflects the evolution of global governance structures

Korea’s participation in the expanded G7 session illustrates how this once-exclusive forum has evolved to address complex global challenges requiring broader participation.

The G7 began in 1975 as the G6 (without Canada) to address economic issues following the OPEC oil embargo, gradually expanding its focus to include security, climate change, and now digital governance 2.

The forum represents approximately 40% of global GDP despite comprising just 10% of the world’s population, making outreach to partners like Korea essential for legitimacy when addressing global challenges 2.

Since 2014, when Russia was expelled from the G8 following its annexation of Crimea, the G7 has increasingly relied on outreach to non-member nations to maintain global influence 2.

The emphasis on energy security and AI governance at this summit demonstrates how the G7’s agenda has expanded far beyond its original economic focus to address emerging technological and environmental challenges that require cooperative solutions.

3️⃣ Energy security increasingly intertwined with technology governance

President Lee’s dual focus on energy security and AI governance at the G7 reflects the growing interconnection between critical infrastructure and digital technologies.

The integration of AI-powered smart grids into energy networks represents a significant shift in how nations conceptualize energy security, moving beyond resource access to include cybersecurity and digital resilience.

Discussions about AI governance at the G7 highlight growing recognition that technology standards require international coordination, with forums like the Paris AI Summit bringing together 60 countries to develop collaborative frameworks for responsible AI 3.

Korea’s position as both a semiconductor manufacturing hub and a major energy importer places it at the intersection of these interrelated security challenges, explaining its emphasis on building resilient systems.

This convergence of energy and digital security represents a new frontier in international cooperation, as nations recognize that neither challenge can be effectively addressed through purely domestic policies or isolated bilateral agreements.

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