President Lee Wraps Up NATO and Mongolia Tour Focused on Defense and Mineral Diplomacy, Returns to Korea

Targeting the 15 Trillion Won European Procurement Market through NATO Defense Diplomacy

Meeting with Trump After Three Weeks for Follow-up Talks on U.S. Naval Vessels

Elimination of Mineral Tariffs through Principled Agreement on Korea-Mongolia CEPA

President Lee Jae-myung concluded his five-day, three-night schedule, which included the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit and a state visit to Mongolia, and departed for Korea on July 11 (local time). President Lee focused on strengthening defense industry cooperation with NATO allies and establishing a supply chain for critical minerals with Mongolia.

On this day, at around 6:22 p.m., President Lee boarded a flight to Korea at Ulaanbaatar Airport in Mongolia. President Lee wore a deep navy suit and a matching navy tie, while First Lady Kim Hye-kyung wore a gray jacket with a black top and skirt. The presidential couple was seen off at the airport by Foreign Minister Battsetseg, and they received a bouquet from the Mongolian delegation. After taking commemorative photos with Minister Battsetseg, the couple boarded Air Force One.

President Lee's NATO Defense Diplomacy... Opens the 15 Trillion Won European Procurement Market

President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung, on a state visit to Mongolia, are seen on July 9 (local time) alighting from Air Force One at Chinggis Khaan International Airport in Ulaanbaatar and moving to a ceremonial vehicle. 2026.7.9 Yonhap News Photo by Yonhap

Upon his arrival in Ankara, Turkey, where the NATO Summit was held on July 7, President Lee immediately began an intensive schedule of "defense industry diplomacy." He held talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and announced the commencement of negotiations for the "Basic Procurement Agreement" between Korea and NATO. The Basic Procurement Agreement is a treaty that outlines the legal and administrative requirements needed for NATO and partner countries to enter into military logistics contracts. Having a single agreement in place would allow Korea to access the joint procurement market of NATO member states, which is worth 15 trillion won annually.

President Lee participated as a keynote speaker in the Defense Industry Forum, a core event of the NATO Summit, and proposed the "Korea-NATO Defense Industry Partnership 2.0." His vision is to elevate defense industry cooperation with allies from simple arms deals to joint research, production, and operation. President Lee emphasized, "We must boldly expand joint research on advanced technologies," adding, "Engaging in research and development together is the most effective way to align technological standards and share the direction of innovation."

Taking advantage of the NATO Summit, President Lee held his first official summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. President Lee explained the Korean government's pledge to provide USD 100 million in aid to Ukraine, and President Zelensky expressed his gratitude for Korea's support. However, the Blue House clarified that the Korean government's support demonstrates its commitment to international peace and security, and that it does not include the provision of lethal weapons.

Meeting with Trump After Three Weeks... Follow-up Talks on U.S. Warship Construction

President Lee Jae-myung and U.S. President Donald Trump are conversing at the official welcome dinner hosted by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his spouse at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, on July 7 (local time). 2026.7.8 Yonhap News Agency

On July 8, at the welcome banquet hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his wife, President Lee met with U.S. President Donald Trump. President Lee said regarding the issue of military vessels, "I will cooperate to the fullest extent possible at President Trump's request," and introduced Korean shipbuilding companies. The meeting between the two leaders came about three weeks after their previous encounter at the G7 Summit in Evian, France, last month. At that time, President Trump had made headlines by asking President Lee whether Korea could quickly build 10 U.S. naval vessels.

In connection with this, a senior Blue House official said, "It seems there's an impression that building the vessels in Korea is not being ruled out." Under current U.S. law, American warships must be built within the United States. However, in order to quickly construct 10 U.S. naval vessels as President Trump requested at the G7 Summit last month, the law would need to be relaxed or a new method of shipbuilding found. The official added, "There will be various methods, but we need to identify which approach is being proposed."

Principled Agreement on Korea-Mongolia CEPA, Elimination of Tariffs on Mongolian Minerals

President Lee Jae-myung and Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh shake hands after a joint press conference at the Ulaanbaatar Government Office on July 9, 2026 (local time). Photo by Yonhap News

After completing the two-day NATO Summit, President Lee traveled to Mongolia to continue his state visit at the invitation of Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh. This visit marked the first time in 15 years that a Korean head of state visited Mongolia as a state guest.

In Mongolia, President Lee focused on building supply chains for critical minerals. He held a summit with President Khurelsukh and announced the principled conclusion of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Although negotiations for CEPA, which began in 2023, had stagnated due to concerns over opening the Mongolian market, a broad agreement was reached as the importance of critical minerals grew. With the entry into force of the Korea-Mongolia CEPA, the 2–5 percent import tariffs previously imposed on Mongolian minerals will be eliminated, allowing for a more stable supply.

At the joint press conference following the summit, President Lee stated, "With the principled conclusion of CEPA, we will work together to achieve USD 1 billion in bilateral trade by 2030," adding, "We also plan to expand the scope of mutually beneficial and sustainable cooperation in various fields, including artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation, advanced science and technology, logistics and infrastructure, agriculture and livestock, healthcare and medical services, and development cooperation."

21 Government and 21 Private MOUs Signed... Advanced Mineral Cooperation

President Lee Jae-myung delivered a congratulatory speech at the Korea-Mongolia Business Forum held at a hotel in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, on the 9th (local time). 2026.7.9 Yonhap News Agency

The 21 memoranda of understanding (MOUs) signed by the two governments and 21 by private sector entities included provisions to advance cooperation on critical minerals. The Korean and Mongolian governments agreed to conduct joint research in areas such as resources, secure original technologies, and stabilize the resource supply chain. In the private sector, MOUs were signed to cooperate on the exploration of nickel and copper in Mongolia and the joint development of various rare metals.

President Lee expressed high expectations for cooperation on critical minerals. At the Korea-Mongolia Business Forum, he said, "I hope we can join forces as strong partners in the field of critical minerals and supply chains," and added, "If resource-rich Mongolia, with its abundant copper, molybdenum, tungsten, and rare earth elements, and Korea, with its advanced technology, capital, and logistics, cooperate, we can generate significant synergy in the supply chain sector."

Blue House: "Mongolia Expressed Willingness to Play a Role in Resuming Inter-Korean Dialogue"

At the same time, the Korean and Mongolian governments agreed to work together for peace on the Korean Peninsula. Wi Sung-lac, chief of the National Security Office at the Blue House, said at a briefing in Ulaanbaatar, "President Khurelsukh expressed strong support for our government's efforts for peace on the Korean Peninsula," and added, "Since Mongolia maintains a traditional friendly relationship with North Korea, the Mongolian side has expressed its willingness to play a necessary role in creating conditions for the improvement of inter-Korean relations and the resumption of dialogue."

However, the joint press conference following the summit did not include any reference to denuclearization. In an interview with the Mongolian state news agency Montsame, President Lee said, "We are considering a comprehensive approach to denuclearization in a step-by-step manner," but in practice, only "efforts to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula" were mentioned. Regarding this, a senior Blue House official stated, "Issues related to the Korean Peninsula and (North Korea's) nuclear program were discussed during the summit," and asked that the overall context of the discussions be considered.

President Lee Jae-myung, on a state visit to Mongolia, is shooting a traditional bow at the Ulaanbaatar Naadam Festival on the 11th (local time), watched by First Lady Kim Hye-kyung, Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh, and Mrs. Lobsangdorji Berlertshech. 2026.7.11 Yonhap News Agency

On the final day of the state visit, President Lee attended the Naadam Festival, Mongolia's largest traditional folk festival, held annually in July to commemorate Mongolia's freedom and independence. The Mongolian side invites heads of state as special guests every year, but this was the first time a Korean president attended as a guest of honor. President Lee and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung visited the Naadam Festival stadium and tried their hand at archery. President Lee concluded his itinerary with a farewell luncheon hosted by Mongolian President Khurelsukh.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.