Key facts
- South Korea aims for phased denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
- President Lee Jae Myung views Mongolia as a trusted partner for peace and dialogue.
- Lee hopes to establish a strategic partnership with Mongolia.
- Bilateral cooperation will focus on trade, supply chains, healthcare, and food security.
- Critical minerals are identified as strategic assets for supply chain collaboration.
- The goal is to reach 500,000 annual visitors between the two countries by 2030.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has stated that his country is pursuing a phased approach to denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, alongside efforts to normalize relations with North Korea. In an interview with Mongolia's Montsame news agency ahead of his state visit, Lee described Mongolia as a "trusted partner" capable of contributing to peace and stability in Northeast Asia.
Lee emphasized Mongolia's diplomatic capacity, noting its balanced relations with major regional powers like China and Russia. He highlighted the importance of mutual trust and dialogue over military force in creating peace. Mongolia has historically maintained close ties with North Korea.
The South Korean president expressed his aspiration to elevate bilateral relations with Mongolia to a forward-looking "strategic partnership," aiming to usher in a "new golden era" of cooperation. He cited trade, supply chains, healthcare, and food security as key areas for collaboration. Lee specifically pointed to critical minerals as "strategic assets" and identified Mongolia's mineral wealth and South Korea's industrial strengths as complementary for building reliable supply chains.
Additionally, Seoul aims to increase the number of visitors between the two nations to 500,000 annually by 2030, the year marking the 40th anniversary of their diplomatic ties. President Lee was scheduled to hold a summit with his Mongolian counterpart, Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, and attend a joint business forum during his visit.