SEOUL: South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will attend the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in Ankara, Türkiye, on July 7-8 before undertaking a three-day state visit to Mongolia aimed at strengthening defence cooperation and regional partnerships, Seoul’s presidential office announced on Friday.
National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said President Lee will meet NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and participate in a summit involving leaders from Indo-Pacific partner countries, including Japan, Australia and New Zealand. He is also scheduled to attend the NATO Defence Industry Forum and deliver a speech on defence cooperation.
The visit comes as NATO members continue to increase defence spending and seek to strengthen domestic defence production amid growing geopolitical tensions, creating new opportunities for South Korea’s defence industry. According to Wi, Seoul aims to expand defence exports and deepen partnerships with NATO based on the alliance’s standards.
Why is Mongolia included in the visit?
Following the NATO summit, President Lee will travel to Ulaanbaatar on July 9 for a three-day state visit at the invitation of Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa. The two leaders are expected to hold bilateral talks, issue a joint statement and sign several memorandums of understanding covering areas of mutual cooperation.
South Korea considers Mongolia a strategic partner due to its reserves of critical minerals and its diplomatic ties with North Korea, which Seoul believes could contribute to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. The presidential office also indicated that additional bilateral meetings with other world leaders are being arranged during the trip to strengthen defence and security cooperation.