President Lee Holds Summit with Timor-Leste President, Expands Diplomatic and Security Cooperation

Nobel-Winning Timor-Leste President Makes First Official Visit to Korea
MOU Signing, Expanded Talks and Joint Press Statement Scheduled
Blue House: "Opportunity to Expand Contribution to Regional Peace and Prosperity"

President Lee Jaemyung will hold a summit at the Blue House on Nov. 6 with Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta, who is on an official visit to South Korea.

The two leaders are expected to discuss ways to expand practical cooperation in areas including diplomacy and security, intellectual property, climate change, education, and people-to-people exchanges, as well as the regional situation and major international issues. They are also scheduled to attend a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing ceremony, an expanded meeting over lunch, and a joint press announcement.

President Lee Jaemyung speaks at a meeting of senior secretaries and aides at the Blue House on Nov. 5, 2026. Yonhap News.

In a written briefing today, Blue House spokesperson Kim Seongwan said, "Even before establishing diplomatic relations, the two countries forged a special bond based on the values of peace and democracy through South Korea's deployment of the Sangnoksu Unit and its humanitarian assistance. President Ramos-Horta has also spoken highly of the Korean people's efforts to defend democracy through the Light Revolution."

Kim added, "President Ramos-Horta's visit to South Korea ahead of the 25th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year will provide an opportunity to further expand and deepen practical cooperation. It will also be an opportunity for our country, as a global leader with a sense of responsibility, to expand its contribution to Timor-Leste's sustainable development and to peace and prosperity in the region."

President Ramos-Horta, the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, arrived in South Korea yesterday at President Lee's invitation for an official visit. This is the first official bilateral visit to South Korea by a Timor-Leste leader since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 2002.

Today's lunch for the two leaders will feature Korean dishes reflecting the culinary cultures of both countries. Ermera coffee from Timor-Leste, which President Ramos-Horta has taken a particular interest in promoting, will also be served.

President Lee also plans to present gifts chosen with President Ramos-Horta's tastes and health in mind, including a book of botanical illustrations of rare native Korean plants, a set of espresso cups, and red ginseng.

Yesterday, President Lee welcomed President Ramos-Horta in a post on X (formerly Twitter), saying, "It is meaningful to welcome President Ramos-Horta, who received the Nobel Peace Prize for a lifetime of dedication to peace and democracy."

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