South Korean president to attend NATO summit in Türkiye

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will attend the NATO summit in Türkiye next week, his adviser said on Friday. Lee will travel to Ankara to attend the NATO leaders' summit from July 7‑8, national security adviser Wi Sung‑lac told reporters, according to Yonhap News. The summit will bring together heads of state and government from NATO’s 32 member states, as well as key partners.

Keynote speech and defence forum

Wi said Lee will deliver a keynote speech at the invitation of Secretary General Mark Rutte, and will also participate in a defence industry forum hosted by Türkiye’s Defence Industries Secretariat. The president’s participation “will be part of South Korea's efforts to expand defence industry cooperation with NATO allies,” the adviser added. On the sidelines, Lee will hold a meeting with Rutte and attend a joint meeting with Japan, Australia, and New Zealand — NATO’s three other Asia‑Pacific partners. Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi also confirmed he will attend, marking the first time a Japanese defence chief has participated in such a gathering.

Strategic significance

The Ankara summit will be the 36th NATO summit and the second hosted by Türkiye, following the 2004 summit in Istanbul. The defence industry forum, a new addition to the summit programme, reflects NATO’s focus on ramping up defence production and strengthening transatlantic defence cooperation. 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.