Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung will not attend the NATO summit scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday in The Hague, Netherlands. The presidential office cited domestic priorities and growing uncertainty in the Middle East as reasons for his absence. Lee had initially considered attending the summit with hopes of meeting US President Donald Trump, but shifted his position following US strikes on nuclear sites in Iran.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the international situation has become more uncertain as a result of the US-Iran conflict, with Iran vowing retaliation. South Korea relies on the Middle East for 72 percent of its oil imports, making it challenging for Seoul to risk antagonizing the region. The Trump administration's expected demands for increased defense budgets from US allies, including South Korea, add further complexity to the situation. Although Lee has opted out of the summit, these issues remain unresolved, and his first meeting with Trump will be postponed once again.
While it is crucial for Lee to address economic and domestic issues, questions arise about whether these concerns warrant missing an opportunity to engage with leaders from the US and its major allies. The NATO summit could have provided a platform for South Korea to export defense equipment and nuclear reactors to Europe and potentially participate in Ukraine's post-war reconstruction, aligning with Lee's pragmatic diplomacy focused on national interests.
In times of heightened international tension, it is important for national leaders to convene and develop joint solutions. Most NATO members are part of the Free World, emphasizing coordinated responses to attempts by authoritarian countries like Russia and China to expand their influence. Alongside Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, South Korea was invited to the summit as a partner in the Asia-Pacific region following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Despite attending the summit for three consecutive years, South Korea's absence this time will be noticeable, prompting questions about how the US and NATO countries perceive Lee's decision, especially so soon after his administration's launch.
Concerns arise that Seoul's diplomatic stance might be doubted by its allies. Russia, China, and North Korea have criticized South Korea's participation in the NATO summit. North Korea's ongoing development of nuclear materials, Iran's advancements towards nuclear capability, and the alliance between China, Russia, and North Korea further complicate the situation. In this context, sending a strong message to deter Pyongyang is critical, reinforcing that South Korea stands with its allies.
Some observers in Korea speculate that Lee's decision might be influenced by concerns of alienating China and Russia. Criticism from several lawmakers of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea regarding the US attack on Iran suggests potential alignment with this view. If Lee indeed shares this perspective, it could strain Seoul's relationship with Washington. Following Lee's inauguration, the White House expressed concern over China's influence, and skipping the NATO summit might cast doubt on South Korea's foreign policy direction. It is imperative to address and prevent such misgivings from escalating.