The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has indicated its intention to invite President Lee Jaemyung to the summit to be held in The Hague, Netherlands, on June 24-25 (local time).
At a press conference held in Brussels, Belgium, on June 4, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte responded to a question about whether the IP4 countries (South Korea, Japan, New Zealand, and Australia) would be invited to this NATO summit by saying, "The (summit) program will be announced at the appropriate time, but it is a tradition for IP4 countries to attend NATO meetings." This is interpreted to mean that, although it is not yet at the stage of an official announcement, there is a high possibility that invitations will be extended.
When asked if he had a message for President Lee, Secretary General Rutte said, "Personally, I am very much looking forward to working with the new president. I wish him good luck." He added, "There are many important issues in the Indo-Pacific, within South Korea, and in relations with other countries, so it will not be an easy position, but I will also do my part to support and build those relationships."
In its "New Strategic Concept" adopted in 2022, NATO identified the threat posed by China for the first time, and starting with the summit in Madrid, Spain, that same year, has invited the IP4 for three consecutive years through last year. NATO has also invited the IP4 to several foreign and defense ministers' meetings.
US President Donald Trump will also attend the NATO summit. If President Lee's attendance is confirmed, it is expected to provide an opportunity for a face-to-face meeting between the leaders of South Korea and the United States.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
