The Prospect and Implications of G7 Expansion to Include South Korea
►G7 Summit Challenges: The 2025 G7 Summit, hosted by Canada, will face leadership changes, Trump’s unpredictable policies, and global governance challenges amid growing competition from blocs like BRICS.
►Korea’s Membership Hurdles: Korea and Australia are strong Indo-Pacific candidates for G7 expansion, but Korea’spolitical instability and democratic setbacks, including perceptions of weakened democratic credentials and unresolved political divisions, could complicate its candidacy. Relations with China and Japan and consensus among G7 members remain additional hurdles.
►Strategic Importance: Expanding G7 to include Korea could strengthen its global role, counterbalance China, and reinforce middle-power diplomacy. However, careful management is essential to address concerns about stability while maintaining G7’s focus and cohesion.
