South Korean president departs for Türkiye to attend NATO summit
President Lee Jae Myung has departed for Türkiye to attend the NATO summit in Ankara, marking the first time a South Korean leader has visited the country for the alliance’s leaders’ meeting. He will also attend a joint meeting with Japan, Australia, and New Zealand before heading to Mongolia.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung departed Tuesday for Türkiye to attend the NATO summit in Ankara, local media reported. Lee's visit to Türkiye is part of a two-country tour that will continue with a stop in Mongolia, according to Yonhap News Agency. The presidential aircraft carrying Lee took off from Seoul Air Base in Seongnam en route to Ankara, where leaders of NATO's 32 member countries, including US President Donald Trump, will gather for the summit from Tuesday to Wednesday.
Summit and IP4 meeting
Lee will attend the summit at the invitation of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. He will also hold a meeting with representatives of Japan, Australia, and New Zealand — the three countries that together with South Korea make up NATO's Indo‑Pacific Four (IP4). The IP4 meeting reflects NATO’s growing engagement with Asia‑Pacific partners amid shared security concerns over China’s rise and North Korea’s missile programme.
State visit to Mongolia
From Thursday to Saturday, Lee will pay a state visit to Mongolia at the invitation of President Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh, marking the first visit by a South Korean president to the country in 15 years. His trip will begin with a summit with the Mongolian leader on the first day. For Türkiye, which has close ties with South Korea in defence and technology, Lee’s participation reinforces the strategic partnership between the two countries and highlights Türkiye’s role as a bridge between NATO and Asia‑Pacific partners.
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