Security Advisor Wi Sung-lak announced the president's overseas itinerary during a briefing at the Blue House on July 3.
First, President Yoon will attend the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, on July 7 and 8 at the invitation of NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
This participation follows last month's G7 summit and aims to broaden South Korea's diplomatic horizons while advancing defense cooperation with NATO allies, who account for 55% of global defense spending.
During the summit, President Yoon will meet with Secretary General Stoltenberg, with whom he has had two phone conversations, to strengthen mutual trust and review the current state of South Korea-NATO relations, discussing future cooperation in depth.
He will also participate in a small group meeting with representatives from Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, which serves as a high-level platform for NATO and Indo-Pacific partners to enhance security cooperation, initiated at last year's summit in The Hague.
Additionally, President Yoon will attend the NATO Defense Industry Forum, a key event of this year's summit, expected to draw nearly 1,000 attendees. He will deliver a keynote speech on the theme of "Shared Values, Stronger Industrial Base" and participate in a panel discussion. In the evening, he will attend an official welcome dinner hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
On the last day in Ankara, July 8, discussions will be coordinated for bilateral meetings with countries that have significant practical cooperation needs, including defense.
Wi emphasized that attending the NATO Defense Forum will allow South Korea to showcase the excellence and rapid procurement capabilities of its defense industry to NATO allies and partners, paving the way for concrete cooperation toward becoming one of the world's top four defense exporters. He also noted the importance of establishing a stable institutional foundation for South Korean defense companies to integrate into the NATO supply chain based on trust at the highest levels.
Following the NATO summit, President Yoon will visit Mongolia from July 9 to 11 at the invitation of President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh. This marks the first visit by a South Korean president to Mongolia in 15 years.
Wi stated that President Yoon will meet with President Khurelsukh for their first summit and will attend the opening ceremony of the "Naadam Festival," Mongolia's largest holiday, as a guest of honor.
On the first day, President Yoon will participate in an official welcome ceremony at the Mongolian government office and hold a summit with President Khurelsukh.
The two leaders will also exchange agreements and memorandums of understanding (MOUs) and hold a joint press conference to announce the outcomes of their discussions.
In the evening, he will deliver a keynote speech at the Korea-Mongolia Business Forum, where government and business representatives from both countries will discuss mutually beneficial economic cooperation.
On July 10, President Yoon will visit the memorial hall of independence activist Lee Tae-jun, who supported the independence movement, and hold a luncheon meeting with South Korean residents in Mongolia. He will also meet with Speaker of the Parliament Zandanshatar and Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene.
Additionally, he will attend a state dinner hosted by President Khurelsukh, fostering friendship and trust between the two leaders.
On the final day, July 11, President Yoon will attend the opening ceremony of the Naadam Festival with President Khurelsukh. The Naadam Festival is a national event that invites high-level dignitaries from major countries each year and commemorates Mongolia's spirit of freedom and independence.
Wi noted that this is the first time a South Korean president has been invited as a guest of honor, expressing hopes for strengthening the strategic partnership between South Korea and Mongolia.
Mongolia is a strategic hub connecting Northeast Asia and Eurasia and is an important regional partner for South Korea, expanding cooperation with various countries based on its "Third Neighbor Policy." Mongolia maintains a traditional friendly relationship with North Korea, which was its second diplomatic partner after the Soviet Union.
Wi announced that a joint declaration on the golden era of South Korea-Mongolia relations will be made, outlining plans for the development of the strategic partnership, including the goal of 500,000 people-to-people exchanges by 2030, the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations. He emphasized that these plans will contribute to the common interests of both nations and promote peace and prosperity in the regional and international community.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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