Ankara: President Lee Jae Myung arrived in Ankara, Turkey, to attend this year's North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit. The presidential aircraft carrying Lee landed at Ankara Esenboga Airport, where leaders from NATO's 32 member countries, including U.S. President Donald Trump, are gathering for the two-day summit commencing on Tuesday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee is participating in the NATO summit as the leader of a NATO partner country, invited by the alliance's Secretary General Mark Rutte. The South Korean president is scheduled to meet with Rutte later in the day and engage in discussions with representatives from Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. These countries, along with South Korea, comprise NATO's Indo-Pacific Four (IP4) partners.
Later on Tuesday, Lee is set to deliver a keynote speech at a defense industry forum on the sidelines of the NATO summit, joining a session titled "Shared Values, Stronger Industrial Base." On Wednesday, he is expected to conduct bilateral meetings with participating leaders as South Korea aims to enhance its presence in the global defense market.
This year's NATO summit comes amid efforts by member nations to increase defense spending due to growing global security challenges, including the Russia-Ukraine war and conflicts in the Middle East.
Following the summit, from Thursday to Saturday, Lee will embark on a state visit to Mongolia at the invitation of President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh. The visit will begin with a summit between the two leaders, who plan to declare a "golden era of South Korea-Mongolia relations" and outline a shared vision for future bilateral ties, as reported by Cheong Wa Dae.
On Thursday, Lee will also attend a South Korea-Mongolia business forum to explore economic cooperation between the two countries. On Saturday, Lee is scheduled to be a special guest at the opening ceremony of this year's Naadam Festival, Mongolia's largest cultural celebration, before returning home. Lee's visit to Mongolia marks the first by a South Korean president in 15 years.