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South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung applaud during a meeting with Korean residents and business representatives in Ankara, Türkiye, on November 25. / Source: Yonhap News

President Lee Jae-myung, visiting Türkiye on the final leg of his Middle East–Africa tour, met with Korean residents and business representatives in Ankara on November 25 (local time), pledging that Korea will stand firmly behind its overseas citizens.

Speaking at the gathering, Lee said, “I will work so that Korea becomes your strongest supporter, not the other way around. Here in Türkiye—a country with a special bond with Korea—you are serving as the face of our nation and as diplomatic bridges.”

The president emphasized that Korea is “a community of nearly 60 million people, including overseas compatriots,” and asked attendees to actively share views to help Korea progress toward “a better society.”

Participants raised a variety of issues, including Türkiye’s visa system, education and military service matters in Korea, and veterans’ policies. Lee instructed the foreign minister and other relevant ministries to thoroughly review the concerns delivered during the session.

Kim Jeong-ho, president of the Korean Association in Türkiye, welcomed the presidential couple, saying, “Korea and Türkiye are brother nations with a bond forged on the battlefield 70 years ago. We hope this visit will open a new chapter in bilateral cooperation.”

Around 150 people attended the meeting, including leaders of Korean community groups across Ankara and Istanbul, overseas business representatives and officials in culture and education.