Yoon: "We Will Build a Comprehensive Network to Protect Economy and Security" (Summary)

Arrival in Madrid, Spain for NATO Summit
Attended Korea-Australia Summit, Meeting with NATO Secretary General, and Dinner with Spanish King

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] President Yoon Suk-yeol announced on the 28th (local time) in Madrid, Spain, where the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit will be held on the 29th-30th, that "through the three-day talks, we will establish a comprehensive network that protects both the economy and security."

President Yoon stated on his social media (SNS) Facebook, "I have arrived in the beautiful city of Madrid, where the sunset still lingers at 9 p.m."

He added, "I am resting briefly at the accommodation and preparing for the first schedule, the summit meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Norman Albanese and the meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg."

President Yoon's first official NATO visit schedule is the Korea-Australia summit. Like Korea, Australia is one of the four countries invited for the first time as NATO's Asia-Pacific partner countries.

The summit with Finnish President Sauli Niinist?, originally scheduled as the first event, was canceled for the time being. A presidential office official explained to reporters at the press center in Madrid that the reason for the cancellation of the Korea-Finland summit was that "(both sides') schedules did not align in various complicated ways."

President Yoon is expected to discuss 'comprehensive security' cooperation, including economic, technological, and human rights collaboration with NATO member countries, during the upcoming meeting with Secretary General Stoltenberg.

Since NATO plans to adopt a new strategic concept at this meeting addressing not only the Ukraine war but also countermeasures against China's expanding influence, there is a possibility that Secretary General Stoltenberg will mention these plans to President Yoon.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon and First Lady Kim Keon-hee are also scheduled to attend a gala dinner hosted by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain that evening.

During this visit, President Yoon will carry out a total of 14 diplomatic schedules, including nine bilateral meetings, ▲ NATO allied and partner country summits ▲ meeting with the King of Spain ▲ Korea-U.S.-Japan trilateral summit ▲ luncheon meeting with Spanish business leaders.

He will hold summit meetings with the Netherlands, Poland, and Denmark on the 29th, and with the Czech Republic and the United Kingdom on the 30th. Informal meetings are planned with the European Union (EU) Commission President, as well as the leaders of Canada and Romania.

The Korea-U.S.-Japan trilateral summit will be held at 2:30 p.m. on the 29th. This is the first Korea-U.S.-Japan summit in 4 years and 9 months since the one held during the early days of the previous Moon Jae-in administration in September 2017 at the United Nations General Assembly.

First Lady Kim will also make her 'multilateral diplomatic debut' through this schedule. Drawing on her experience running Kobana Contents and hosting performances and art exhibitions, she plans to engage in related activities. According to the presidential office, First Lady Kim will participate in at least five public events, including attending the spouses' session of the attending country leaders in Madrid, Spain.