South Korea leader skips NATO summit as President Lee Jae Myung will not travel to the Netherlands this week. Kang Yu-jung, spokesperson for the presidential office, confirmed the decision in a statement on Sunday. The government carefully weighed the president’s involvement against pressing domestic and international issues. Rising tensions in the Middle East further influenced the choice. Seoul now coordinates with NATO to decide who will head South Korea’s delegation instead.
The announcement followed a dramatic escalation in US-Iran relations. President Donald Trump recently claimed a “spectacular military success” after striking Iran’s nuclear facilities. Meanwhile, Trump also urges NATO members to boost defense spending to 5 percent of GDP. South Korea’s defense budget currently sits at 2.32 percent of GDP this year. The US expects its Asian allies, including South Korea, to meet this new defense spending standard.
South Korea leader skips NATO summit despite a tradition of consistent attendance. This event would have been the fourth consecutive NATO summit featuring a South Korean leader. Lee’s predecessor, Yoon Suk Yeol, attended all NATO summits during his presidency. Attendance often opens opportunities for bilateral talks, such as with the US president. These talks can influence significant matters like trade tariffs and security cooperation.
Although South Korea is not a NATO member, it maintains close ties with the alliance. The country belongs to the Indo-Pacific “IP4” group alongside Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. These partners contribute to regional security and deterrence efforts. This year, Australia’s prime minister also declined attendance, sending the deputy instead. New Zealand and Japan confirmed their leaders will attend, underscoring varying diplomatic priorities.
President Lee initially hesitated to attend the NATO summit during his campaign. He cited domestic economic challenges as his main concern. After taking office, Lee expressed a willingness to engage internationally to show South Korea’s recovery. Nonetheless, recent developments and regional instability led him to withdraw from the event. South Korea leader skips NATO summit underlining a cautious approach amid complex geopolitical conditions.
