Edited clip shared portraying South Korea leader as G20 'outcast'

After the G20 summit in South Africa concluded, a manipulated video circulated on social media suggesting that South Korean President Lee Jae Myung was ignored by other world leaders before a group photograph. In reality, longer footage of the same event shows multiple leaders approaching Lee to exchange greetings.

The misleading video, shared on YouTube on November 24, 2025, carried Korean-language captions claiming: "Lee Jae Myung, an international outcast, ruins the nation's image at the G20 summit." The 50-second clip, which was viewed tens of thousands of times, depicted Lee standing alone, slightly separated from other leaders clustered in small groups.

The video's voiceover falsely stated, "The full G20 footage shows Lee Jae Myung being shunned globally; no one approached or spoke to him. When he extended his hand to greet others, they ignored him and walked by." Similar clips and screenshots were shared across YouTube, Facebook, and South Korean forums such as FM Korea and MLB Park. One user commented: "Pathetic. Being treated like this and calling it diplomacy? What a joke." Another remarked: "Why does he even travel abroad just to fail and waste taxpayer money?"

The 2025 G20 summit, involving 19 countries plus the European and African Unions, took place in Johannesburg from November 2223. The event drew numerous global leaders, although the U.S. government did not attend, citing policy conflicts with South Africa.

According to official South Korean government records, President Lee delivered speeches highlighting Seoul's initiatives in artificial intelligence, climate action, and the importance of revitalizing the World Trade Organization. Local media also covered his agenda extensively.

Longer videos posted by South Korean broadcasters CBS and MBC reveal that the viral clip misrepresented the scene. While Lee appeared alone at times, the footage clearly shows him greeting and conversing with leaders including Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Frances President Emmanuel Macron, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer as they prepared for the group photo.

Following the summit, a Gallup poll indicated that Lee's approval rating stood at 60 percent, with 43 percent of respondents praising his diplomatic efforts. AFP has previously investigated and debunked misleading media targeting South Korean politicians.

Author: Sophia Brooks