Growing Recognition
The idea of turning the G7 into the G8 by including South Korea is emerging. The presidents of the United States and South Korea are expected to discuss the matter at their summit scheduled for April 26.
The Federation of Korean Industries and the U.S. Center for Strategic and International Studies co-hosted a webinar on April 4. There, CSIS President John Hamre remarked, “Now, in some high-tech industries, the United States is learning from South Korea, and the two should move forward together while handling global issues together.”
“The rules that we have worked together to create and uphold are important,” said Eliot Kang, adding, “South Korea should participate in multilateral efforts to uphold international norms, which it is capable of.” He currently serves as the Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation at the U.S. Department of State.
“The G7 is a group of market-oriented democracy developers and South Korea and Australia need to be included,” said Matthew Goodman, CSIS Senior Vice President for Economics.
“South Korea with new ideas and schemes should join the G7,” said Heritage Foundation research manager Anthony Kim, adding that South Korea will bring a new perspective to the international Group of Seven.