President Lee Sits Next to Trump at G7 Dinner, Introduces Kim as "My Wife"

 [Financial News, Evian-les-Bains, France = Choi Jong-geun]President Lee Jae Myung expanded channels of communication with U.S. President Donald Trump by meeting him repeatedly at the welcome events for the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Evian-les-Bains, France. At the official dinner, he sat right next to Trump and discussed shared interests. After the group photo, he also introduced First Lady Kim Hye-kyung in person, deepening their rapport.
President Lee and Kim attended a concert and official dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron on the evening of the 16th local time. The event served as a welcome reception for leaders and spouses from G7 member countries, invitee countries, and heads of international organizations. It was designed as a more relaxed setting for leaders to interact outside the main summit session.
After the commemorative photo session for the concert, President Lee headed to the dinner venue and approached Trump, who was greeting other leaders. He introduced Kim as "My wife." Kim also greeted Trump in English, and Trump responded warmly by shaking her hand.
The two leaders continued their conversation at the official dinner. At the dinner hosted by Macron and Brigitte Macron, President Lee sat immediately next to Trump and exchanged views closely while building goodwill and friendship.
At the welcome event for invitee countries, President Lee met and greeted the U.S. president. Before the group photo, he faced Trump and spoke with him for about 30 seconds. When Trump said something, Lee was also seen nodding in response. In a written briefing released that day, Kang Yoo-jung, Chief Spokesperson for the Blue House, said, "President Lee met and greeted U.S. President Donald Trump during the group photo session at the G7 summit." She added, "Trump asked President Lee about the current state of Inter-Korean relations, and President Lee asked him to lead a peaceful resolution of the North Korea issue, just as he resolved the Middle Eastern wars."
The presidential couple attended the concert hosted by Macron and enjoyed a variety of performances by artists as well as a children's choir. After the concert, they joined the official dinner and broadly interacted with leaders and representatives from G7 member countries, invitee countries, and international organizations.
Through the welcome events, President Lee focused on building trust and strengthening ties with other leaders in a more relaxed atmosphere. He also exchanged views on the main agenda items of the Evian G7 Summit, while further solidifying friendly relations with leaders from G7 member countries and invitee countries.
The concert was held at La Source Vive, a performance venue inside Hôtel Royal in Evian-les-Bains. La Source Vive is one of the venues that make up Les Mélézes, the music and performing arts space at Evian Resort, and is a new cultural venue in Evian-les-Bains known for its architecture blended with nature and its intimate acoustics.

cjk@fnnews.com Choi Jong-geun Reporter