President Lee Jae-myung will embark on a trip next week to attend the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in Turkey from July 7 to 11 and conduct a state visit to Mongolia.

Wi Sung-lac, Director of the National Security Office, announced the President's diplomatic schedule during a briefing at the presidential office today (July 3).

At the invitation of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, President Lee will first attend the NATO summit held in Ankara from July 7 to 8.

Director Wi stated that this visit, following last month's G7 summit, is intended to further broaden the horizons of South Korean diplomacy. In particular, it is aimed at promoting defense industry cooperation with NATO member states, which represent the largest defense market, accounting for 55% of global defense spending.

President Lee will arrive in Ankara on the afternoon of July 7 and attend a small-group meeting with Secretary General Rutte and representatives from Indo-Pacific partner countries, known as the IP4, including Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.

This meeting serves as a high-level platform for cooperation between NATO and its Indo-Pacific partners and has been held since the Hague summit last year to reflect the commitment of both sides to strengthening security cooperation.

Afterward, President Lee will attend the NATO Defense Industry Forum, one of the official events of the summit, and deliver a keynote speech at the session titled "Shared Values, Stronger Industrial Base."

In the evening, he will attend an official state banquet hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the First Lady.

"For the final day in Ankara on July 8, we are coordinating bilateral meetings, prioritizing countries with significant demand for practical cooperation, including in the defense sector," Director Wi said. "This visit will serve as a full-scale stepping stone for entering the world's largest NATO defense market and building a robust defense supply chain."

The subsequent state visit to Mongolia was arranged at the invitation of Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh. Director Wi explained that this is the first state visit by a South Korean president to Mongolia in 15 years.

President Lee will arrive in Ulaanbaatar on July 9, hold a summit with President Khurelsukh, and announce the results of the talks through an agreement and MOU signing ceremony and a joint press statement.

In particular, the two leaders plan to announce a joint declaration titled "The Golden Age of Korea-Mongolia Relations," which contains a future vision for bilateral ties.

In the evening, President Lee will deliver a keynote speech at the "Korea-Mongolia Business Forum," where government and business officials from both countries will discuss ways to enhance economic cooperation.

On July 10, he will visit the memorial hall for Lee Tae-joon, a patriot who provided medical care and supported the independence movement in Mongolia, followed by a luncheon with Korean residents in the country.

On July 11, President Lee will attend the opening ceremony of the "Naadam Festival," Mongolia's largest national holiday, as a guest of honor alongside President Khurelsukh.

This festival is a national event commemorating Mongolia's freedom and spirit of independence, and this marks the first time a South Korean president has been invited as a guest of honor.

"Mongolia is a strategic hub connecting Northeast Asia and Eurasia, and an important partner that is expanding cooperation with various countries, including South Korea, based on its 'Third Neighbor' policy," Director Wi said. "It also aligns with our government's initiative to expand cooperation with the Northern region and diversify our diplomacy."

Director Wi particularly emphasized that "Mongolia is a resource-rich nation with abundant core minerals," noting that the visit will be an opportunity to strengthen trade and supply chain cooperation.

Finally, Director Wi explained, "As the second country to establish diplomatic ties with North Korea after the former Soviet Union, Mongolia maintains traditional friendly relations with the North. We can also expect results in building a partnership for realizing peace on the Korean Peninsula."

He added, "The two leaders will discuss ways to ensure peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, ease regional tensions, and build trust, while seeking ways to resume dialogue with North Korea."