South Korean President Lee Jae-myung departs July 7 for a four-night, five-day diplomatic tour to Turkey and Mongolia, attending the NATO Summit in Ankara and conducting a state visit to Mongolia. The tour aims to expand Korean defense exports to European markets and strengthen supply chain cooperation with Mongolia, particularly in critical minerals. This marks the first Korean presidential state visit to Mongolia in 15 years, since 2011, and Korea's participation as an Indo-Pacific Partner (IP4) alongside Japan, Australia, and New Zealand at the NATO Summit. Lee will deliver a keynote address at the NATO Defense Industry Forum and hold multiple bilateral meetings focused on defense and economic cooperation. The Blue House views the summit as a pivotal opportunity to penetrate NATO member states' defense markets and accelerate Korea's integration into NATO standard systems and supply chains.
Lee Jae-myung Attends NATO Summit in Ankara July 7-8
Lee departs July 7 for Ankara, Turkey, to participate in the NATO Summit as an invited Indo-Pacific Partner. Korea received the invitation alongside Japan, Australia, and New Zealand under the IP4 framework. Upon arrival, Lee will meet with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, followed by a small-group meeting with the leaders of Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. The Blue House stated that the summit participation will allow Korea to directly communicate its defense industry competitiveness to NATO member states and partner countries.
Lee Delivers Keynote at NATO Defense Industry Forum
Lee will attend the NATO Defense Industry Forum on July 8 and deliver a keynote address titled "Common Values, Stronger Industrial Base." He will directly introduce Korean defense industry capabilities to government officials and defense company representatives from participating countries. National Security Advisor Wi Sung-lac stated that through the forum participation, Korea aims to "directly inform allies and partner countries of K-defense excellence and rapid procurement capabilities, and establish concrete cooperation foundations for advancing to the global top four defense exporters." The Blue House plans to use the summit as a turning point for entering NATO member states' defense markets, the world's largest.
Lee Holds Multiple Bilateral Meetings on July 8
On July 8, Lee will conduct multiple bilateral meetings centered on countries with defense, security, and economic cooperation needs. The Blue House expects Lee to focus on "sales diplomacy" supporting Korean defense companies' overseas expansion. Attention centers on potential meetings with U.S. President Donald Trump, whom Lee met at the G7 Summit last month, and a possible first encounter with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Lee Conducts State Visit to Mongolia July 9-11
After completing the NATO agenda, Lee will conduct a state visit to Mongolia starting July 9. Lee will hold a summit with Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh, followed by agreement and memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing ceremonies and a joint press statement. The two countries will adopt a joint declaration titled "Golden Era of Korea-Mongolia Relations" containing a future cooperation vision. The Blue House stated it will focus on expanding practical cooperation in critical minerals, supply chains, food security, health and science technology, and yellow dust response.
Korea-Mongolia Summit Focuses on Critical Minerals and Supply Chain Cooperation
Cooperation on critical minerals including rare earths is expected to be a major agenda item from a supply chain diversification perspective. The Blue House views the summit as an opportunity to expand substantial cooperation fields. Following the summit, Lee will deliver a keynote address at the Korea-Mongolia Business Forum, presenting measures to expand cooperation between companies from both countries. Demand for Korean food, cosmetics, and consumer goods is rapidly increasing in Mongolia alongside K-culture expansion. Domestic retailers including CU and E-mart operate approximately 800 stores locally, with Korean culture and industry influence expanding and broadening the economic cooperation foundation.
Lee Attends Naadam Festival as Guest of Honor on July 11
On the final day of the tour, July 11, Lee will attend the opening ceremony of the Naadam Festival, Mongolia's largest national event, as guest of honor alongside President Khurelsukh. This marks the first time a Korean president has been invited as guest of honor to the Naadam Festival opening ceremony. During the Mongolia visit, Lee will also visit the Lee Tae-jun Memorial Hall, honoring the independence activist who supported Korea's independence movement in Mongolia, and hold a luncheon meeting with Korean residents. The Blue House expects the tour to serve as an opportunity to expand K-defense exports, strengthen supply chain cooperation, and broaden the foundation for managing Korean Peninsula affairs by utilizing Mongolia's communication channels with North Korea.
FAQ
What is the purpose of Lee Jae-myung's Turkey and Mongolia tour from July 7-11?
Lee Jae-myung's tour aims to expand Korean defense exports to NATO member states and strengthen supply chain cooperation with Mongolia, particularly in critical minerals. He will attend the NATO Summit in Ankara as an Indo-Pacific Partner and conduct the first Korean presidential state visit to Mongolia in 15 years.
What will Lee Jae-myung do at the NATO Defense Industry Forum?
Lee will deliver a keynote address titled "Common Values, Stronger Industrial Base" at the NATO Defense Industry Forum on July 8. He will directly introduce Korean defense industry capabilities to government officials and defense company representatives from participating countries, with the Blue House viewing this as a turning point for entering NATO member states' defense markets.
Why is Lee Jae-myung's Mongolia visit significant?
Lee's state visit to Mongolia from July 9-11 is the first Korean presidential state visit to Mongolia in 15 years, since 2011. The visit focuses on cooperation in critical minerals including rare earths, supply chain diversification, and economic ties. Lee will become the first Korean president invited as guest of honor to the Naadam Festival opening ceremony on July 11.
