President Lee Jae Myung will embark on a five-day, two-leg overseas trip next week, attending the NATO summit in Turkey before making a state visit to Mongolia, Cheong Wa Dae said Friday. It said Lee will travel to Ankara from July 7 to 8 to attend the NATO summit at the invitation of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, followed by a three-day state visit to Mongolia from July 9 to 11 at the invitation of President Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh. The NATO summit will mark Lee's second major multilateral gathering in less than a month, following his attendance at the G7 summit in France, reflecting his administration's efforts to broaden Korea's diplomatic engagement. The summit also reflects the Lee government’s push to expand defense exports and deepen strategic partnerships beyond traditional allies. "The trip will further expand Korea's diplomatic outreach and, in particular, marks the beginning of a full-scale effort to strengthen defense industry cooperation with NATO allies." National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac during a press briefing. He noted 32 NATO allies collectively account for 55