President Lee Jae Myung and first lady Kim Hye-kyung departed Tuesday from Seoul Airport to attend the NATO summit.
The send-off ceremony was held on the second floor of Seoul Airport — the first time since Lee took office that the venue moved indoors, due to rain. Han Byung-do, acting leader and floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik, and Cheong Wa Dae political affairs secretary Hong Ik-pyo were among those who saw the president off.
Lee arrived on the red carpet wearing a navy suit with a green-striped tie, while Kim wore a white two-piece outfit.
Stepping off the elevator, Lee smiled at the unfamiliar surroundings and remarked, "This feels a bit awkward." He then greeted each member of the farewell party in turn, starting with Kang, exchanging handshakes in a warm atmosphere. Interior Minister Yun Ho-jung also escorted the presidential couple before they boarded Air Force One.
Lee is scheduled to spend one night and two days in Turkey for the NATO summit, followed by a two-night, three-day state visit to Mongolia, returning to Seoul on Saturday.
The trip comes roughly 20 days after Lee returned from the G7 summit last month. NATO allies collectively account for 55 percent of global defense spending and represent the world's largest defense market. The visit is aimed at laying the groundwork for building South Korean defense supply chains with those countries.
By attending the NATO Defense Industry Forum, Lee also plans to showcase the strengths of South Korea's defense industry and its rapid procurement capabilities, accelerating the country's push to become one of the world's top four defense exporters.
Lee will then make a state visit to Mongolia — the fastest such visit within the first year of any South Korean administration — where he is expected to hold wide-ranging discussions on critical minerals cooperation.
sang@heraldcorp.com
