South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is scheduled to attend a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, from July 7 to 8, with the primary objective of fostering defense industry cooperation between South Korea and NATO member states, as announced by National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac.
During his visit to Ankara, President Lee is slated to meet with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and participate in a multilateral summit involving leaders from Indo-Pacific nations, including Japan, New Zealand, and Australia. He will also address the NATO defense industry forum, delivering remarks during one of its sessions.
National Security Adviser Wi highlighted the increasing defense spending and efforts to bolster domestic production capabilities among NATO member states amidst deepening geopolitical instability. He emphasized the need for South Korea, while not a NATO member, to advance partnerships aligned with the alliance's standards to facilitate defense material exports.
The adviser further noted the strengthening cooperation between NATO and the Indo-Pacific region since the onset of the conflict in Ukraine, stating that European security is interconnected with that of Asia, citing the presence of North Korean troops fighting for Russia in Ukraine as a significant example.
Following his trip to Turkey, President Lee will embark on a three-day state visit to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, beginning July 9, at the invitation of Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa. The visit includes a summit between the two leaders, the issuance of a joint statement, and the signing of several memorandums of understanding.
South Korea considers Mongolia a crucial partner due to its substantial reserves of critical minerals and its potential to contribute to peace on the Korean Peninsula through its established relations with North Korea.
