South Korea’s president sets packed Türkiye–Mongolia tour

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will travel to Türkiye next week to attend a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) summit, before proceeding to Mongolia for a state visit and bilateral talks, Seoul’s national security told Korean media on July 3.

Lee will take part in the NATO leaders’ meeting from Tuesday to Wednesday, and will then fly to Ulaanbaatar for a state visit from Thursday to Saturday, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac told a briefing.

According to Wi, Lee’s participation in the NATO gathering follows an invitation extended by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

The visit to Mongolia, at the invitation of President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, will mark the first trip by a South Korean president to the country in 15 years and will include a summit between the two leaders.

The NATO summit is scheduled for July 7–8 in Ankara, where alliance leaders are expected to discuss continued military assistance for Ukraine and other key security priorities.

By Tamilla Hasanova