South Korean President Lee Jae-myung Seeks NATO Defence Ties and Mongolian Mineral Partnerships

President Lee Jae-myung will travel to Ankara, Turkey, for the NATO summit on July 7-8, where he will meet NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, join a small-group meeting of Indo-Pacific partners (Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea), and deliver a keynote at the NATO Defence Industry Forum. He will then fly to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, for a three-day state visit (July 9-11) that includes a summit with President Khürelsükh, signing of memoranda of understanding, and a business forum on critical minerals and economic cooperation.

Lee to attend NATO summit, visit MongoliaThe Straits TimesUsNews and World ReportKorea's Lee heads to NATO summit as Seoul courts defense partnersSouth Korea’s Lee Heads to NATO Summit, Mongolia to Boost Defence TiesLee Jae Myung will be at the NATO summit in AnkaraPresident Lee Jae Myung will conduct defense diplomacy at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NA. .TRT World

NATO now accounts for roughly 55 % of global military spending, making it the world’s largest defence market; South Korea’s defence industry, one of the fastest-growing arms exporters, seeks to tap this market while diversifying its export base beyond the United States and Japan. The alliance’s post-Ukraine shift toward Indo-Pacific partners reflects concerns that “the security of Europe is not irrelevant to that of Asia,” a view echoed by South Korean officials who cite North Korean troops fighting for Russia as evidence of linked security challenges. Mongolia, rich in rare earths, lithium and copper, offers a reliable source of critical minerals needed for batteries, semiconductors and advanced weaponry, aligning with Seoul’s goal to secure supply chains for its high-tech sectors.

South Korea’s Lee Heads to NATO Summit, Mongolia to Boost Defence Ties

The itinerary was announced on July 3; Lee arrives in Ankara on July 7, attends the summit and defence forum on July 7-8, holds bilateral talks on July 8, departs for Ulaanbaatar on July 9, conducts a summit and signs MoUs on July 9-10, and attends the Naadam Festival opening on July 11 as guest of honor.

Lee to attend NATO summit, visit Mongolia

National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said Europe’s security is linked to Asia’s and that South Korea must deepen NATO partnerships to facilitate defence exports and enter the alliance’s large defence market. He also noted that the Mongolia visit aligns with Seoul’s strategy to broaden cooperation in the “New Northern” region. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan praised the Altay tank project as a successful example of defence cooperation between Turkey and South Korea.

South Korea’s Lee Heads to NATO Summit, Mongolia to Boost Defence TiesKorea's Lee heads to NATO summit as Seoul courts defense partnersUsNews and World ReportThe Straits TimesLee Jae Myung will be at the NATO summit in AnkaraPresident Lee Jae Myung will conduct defense diplomacy at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NA. .Lee to attend NATO summit, visit MongoliaTRT World

• “As geopolitical instability deepens, NATO member states are increasing their defence spending and also pursuing efforts to strengthen their own domestic defence production capabilities,” — Wi Sung-lac, National Security Adviser, South Korea

The Straits Times

• “South Korea, which is not a NATO member, must advance partnerships with NATO based on the alliance’s standards to facilitate exports of defence materials,” — Wi Sung-lac

The Straits Times

• “Through this participation, we will lay the groundwork for entering the world's largest NATO defense market and establishing a solid defense supply chain,” — Wi Sung-lac

Lee Jae Myung will be at the NATO summit in Ankara

• “Erdogan said last year that the Altay project was one of the most successful examples of defense cooperation between the two “strategic partner” countries.” — President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey

Korea's Lee heads to NATO summit as Seoul courts defense partners