South Korea's president meets NATO chief to discuss expanding partnership

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on July 7 to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation and deepen the partnership between South Korea and the alliance.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Türkiye, which President Lee is attending at the invitation of the alliance's secretary general, Caliber.Az reports per Korean media.

Opening the talks, Lee said he was pleased to meet Rutte in person for the first time. Rutte thanked the South Korean president for his efforts to further strengthen relations between South Korea and NATO.

According to South Korean officials, the two leaders were expected to hold in-depth discussions on expanding practical cooperation and further reinforcing mutual trust and solidarity.

The two-day NATO summit has brought together leaders of the alliance's 32 member states, as well as partner countries including South Korea. The summit concludes on July 8.

By Sabina Mammadli