President Lee Jae-myung Cancels NATO Summit Attendance

President Lee Jae-myung has decided not to attend the NATO summit scheduled for June 24-25 in The Hague, Netherlands, as announced by the presidential office on June 22. Initially, President Lee was inclined to participate, considering a potential summit with U.S. President Donald Trump. However, following the U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, he shifted his stance and opted out of the summit.

In a written briefing, spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung stated, "Despite the numerous pressing national issues since taking office, the President had been actively considering attending the NATO summit. However, after comprehensively assessing various domestic issues and the uncertainties arising from the situation in the Middle East, it was determined that direct attendance was not feasible." Kang also mentioned that discussions regarding a government representative attending in place of the President would be held with NATO.

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, NATO has invited South Korea, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand (the IP4) to its summits annually. Former President Yoon Suk-yeol attended the NATO summit for three consecutive years, making President Lee's decision to abstain notable.

Reports indicate that President Lee deliberated extensively about his attendance. In diplomatic circles, there were concerns that his absence could signal a shift in South Korea's foreign policy, emphasizing the necessity of his participation. His absence is expected to be perceived as a 'conspicuous absence.'

Most of NATO's 32 member countries are key players in the liberal democratic bloc, and NATO has stressed the need for a united response from the Atlantic and Pacific democratic nations against the expansion of authoritarian powers like Russia, China, and North Korea. Conversely, North Korea, China, and Russia have criticized South Korea's participation in NATO.

President Lee was reportedly prepared to attend the summit until the last minute. National Security Office Director Wi Seong-lak had scheduled a briefing related to the summit for 3 PM, leading to expectations that he would announce the President's attendance. However, the briefing was canceled, and a written statement confirming the decision to abstain was released around 6:20 PM.

Within the presidential office, opinions on attending the NATO summit were divided, but it is believed that the U.S. airstrikes on Iran played a decisive role in the decision to withdraw. Given the likelihood that President Trump would seek support for the airstrikes during the summit, attending could have posed challenges regarding relations with North Korea.

Additionally, the internal sentiment within the ruling party criticizing the U.S. airstrikes may have influenced the decision to abstain. Democratic Party member Choo Mi-ae criticized the airstrikes on Facebook, labeling them as a violation of international law and asserting that the U.S. attack on Iran, which had not attacked the U.S., lacked legitimacy.