President Lee will post social media messages in both Korean and foreign languages as part of a new digital diplomacy strategy aimed at promoting mutual respect and global communication. This multilingual approach will continue across all international visits and engagements with foreign leaders.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is taking a new step in digital diplomacy by announcing that all of his official social media messages related to international engagements will be posted in both Korean and the language of his diplomatic counterpart. The Presidential Office revealed the decision on Saturday, highlighting it as part of a broader strategy to show “diplomatic respect” and enhance global communication.
The initiative was launched ahead of President Lee’s trip to the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Canada earlier this week. According to the presidential office, Lee instructed his staff to ensure that social media posts about his diplomatic engagements be written in multiple languages. This, he emphasized, was to reflect not only courtesy toward other nations but also a commitment to reach both Korean citizens living abroad and local citizens in the countries he visits.
“This measure reflects the President’s dedication to meaningful dialogue and mutual respect in international relations,” said a spokesperson for the office. “It is also a way to include South Korean expatriates and improve the accessibility of Korea’s diplomatic messaging.”
This multilingual approach was evident on Lee’s official X (formerly Twitter) account. On Wednesday, a post about his summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba appeared in both Korean and Japanese. That same day, his meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was summarized in Korean and English, while a report on talks with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum was shared in Korean and Spanish, according to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency.
Lee’s office made it clear that this is not a one-time initiative limited to select nations. “This will not be a temporary measure for only certain countries. It’s part of the president’s digital diplomatic strategy based on his philosophy on government administration,” the office noted in a statement.
The goal, according to Lee’s team, is to foster international goodwill and help create personal connections through digital platforms. “We hope his social media messages will help create a bond between people of different countries and serve as the starting point of diplomacy based on mutual respect,” the statement said.
President Lee concluded his first overseas trip since taking office with the G7 summit, engaging in a series of diplomatic efforts that underscored his commitment to building strong global ties. He held nine bilateral meetings and participated in two informal talks with various world leaders during the summit, according to spokesperson Kang Yu-jung.
During a meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Tuesday, Lee shared a personal anecdote about injuring his arm while working as a teenage factory worker. Lula, reportedly moved by the story, asked Lee about his age at the time, signaling a personal connection between the two leaders.
Lee also used his diplomatic meetings to share his admiration for global figures. At a reception hosted by the Premier of Alberta, Lee expressed his deep respect for the late Nelson Mandela during a conversation with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. The two leaders reflected on the parallels between the democratization experiences in their respective nations. Lee referenced South Korea’s recent history, including the imposition of martial law by former President Yoon Suk Yeol in December.
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In another diplomatic engagement, Lee discussed leadership strategies with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. Lee was curious about the source of Sheinbaum’s high approval ratings. Sheinbaum explained that her popularity stems from regular engagement with the public—meeting citizens three to four days a week—and maintaining communication with opposition parties.
President Lee’s multilingual social media strategy and personal diplomacy reflect his broader approach to international relations—one grounded in communication, transparency, and mutual respect. As South Korea’s global profile continues to rise, Lee’s initiatives signal a shift toward a more inclusive and globally aware administration.
