Yoon to Visit Lithuania and Poland Next Week... Presidential Office Says "No Plans to Visit Ukraine"

Ukraine War, NATO-Indo-Pacific Cooperation, Emerging Security Discussions
AP4 Summit Held Under President Yoon's Chairmanship
Sales Diplomacy During State Visit to Poland

President Yoon Suk-yeol will visit Lithuania and Poland consecutively during a 4-night, 6-day trip from the 10th to the 15th, coinciding with his attendance at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit.

Kim Tae-hyo, the first deputy director of the National Security Office, held a briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the afternoon of the 6th, stating, "President Yoon and First Lady Kim Geon-hee will visit Vilnius, Lithuania, from the 10th to the 12th to attend the NATO summit," and "from the 12th to the 14th, they will make a state visit to Poland."

This is President Yoon's second time attending the NATO summit as a partner country leader since his inauguration last June. President Yoon will arrive in Vilnius on the night of the 10th and begin a series of summit meetings on the 11th, starting with a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, followed by talks with leaders from more than five countries including the Netherlands and Norway. Kim said, "Korea and NATO plan to adopt documents institutionalizing cooperation across 11 fields, including non-proliferation, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies, during this summit."

At the NATO summit, President Yoon will discuss the Ukraine war, NATO cooperation with the Indo-Pacific region, and emerging security threats with other world leaders.

Additionally, he will attend a dinner hosted by Lithuanian President Gitanas Naus?da for NATO allies and partner countries, as well as the AP4 (Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand) summit. Kim added, "The AP4 summit will be chaired by President Yoon."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In particular, arrangements are underway to hold a Korea-Japan summit with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on the sidelines of the NATO summit.

A senior official from the Presidential Office told reporters in the afternoon that regarding reports from Japan suggesting that Japan will explain its stance on contaminated water at the Korea-Japan summit, "We do not discuss the agenda in advance," but added, "The issue of Fukushima treated water discharge may come up."

He continued, "The Japanese Prime Minister has stated that he will pursue measures to ensure the health and safety of the Japanese people and to address the concerns of neighboring countries," and explained, "If the Japanese side raises this issue, they will speak with the principle of prioritizing the health of our people."

On the evening of the 12th, President Yoon and the First Lady will move to Warsaw, Poland, their next destination. This visit marks the first time in 14 years that a Korean president has visited Poland since President Lee Myung-bak in 2009. The visit is a state visit extended by an invitation from Polish President Andrzej Duda.

Kim said, "Since President Duda's invitation during the Korea-Poland summit in June last year, the Polish side has repeatedly expressed their desire to host President Yoon and the First Lady with the highest honors," and introduced, "Through the summit with President Duda, President Yoon plans to evaluate the 10 years of cooperation since establishing the strategic partnership between the two countries and discuss ways to deepen relations in areas such as economy, security, and human exchanges."

Upon arrival in Warsaw on the 12th, President Yoon will hold a meeting with the Korean community in Poland. On the 13th, he will attend the official welcome ceremony, the Korea-Poland summit, and a joint press conference at the Presidential Palace. He will also meet with Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, the speakers of the upper and lower houses, and participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. On the 14th, President Yoon and President Duda plan to attend the Korea-Poland Business Forum. Additionally, President Yoon will meet with the future generation at the University of Warsaw.

Meanwhile, regarding whether President Yoon will visit Ukraine, a senior official stated, "There are no plans or ongoing efforts for a separate visit or summit meeting with Ukraine."