After Xi, South Korea’s Lee brings Modi into ‘selfie diplomacy’ frame

AdvertisementSouth KoreaAsiaSouth AsiaAfter Xi, South Korea’s Lee brings Modi into ‘selfie diplomacy’ frame

Lee’s Samsung selfie with the Indian leader also highlights tech pride, contrasting with his earlier Xiaomi photo taken with the Chinese president

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The Korea TimesPublished: 2:35pm, 21 Apr 2026South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Samsung Electronics chairman Lee Jae-yong posed for a widely shared selfie in New Delhi on Monday, drawing attention to the optics of “selfie diplomacy” at a Korea-India summit.

The photo was taken during a state lunch using Samsung’s latest foldable smartphone, the Galaxy Z Flip7. The image quickly went viral online on social media and was picked up by multiple media outlets.

The moment comes months after Lee drew notice at home for using a Chinese smartphone during a high-profile diplomatic event.

AdvertisementIn January, Lee took a selfie with Chinese President Xi Jinping using a Xiaomi phone he had received as a gift. He later shared the image publicly, describing it as a memorable moment.

The episode prompted mixed reactions, with some commentary focused on symbolism, while others described the approach as reflecting Lee’s flexible style of diplomacy.

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Xi and Lee snap selfie after China-South Korea summit

Xi and Lee snap selfie after China-South Korea summit

“President Lee Jae Myung has had a complicated relationship with smartphones in public optics. Not long ago, he drew heat back at home after using a Xiaomi phone, reportedly a gift from Xi Jinping, for a selfie,” said Yash, a contributor to Samsung-focused tech media outlet Sammy Fans.

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