Khaan Quest 26 ends with closing ceremony in Mongolia www.army.mil

The multinational peacekeeping exercise Khaan Quest 2026 officially ended with a closing ceremony at the Five Hills Training Facility near Ulaanbaatar as soldiers from the Mongolian Armed Forces hosted United Nations participants from 18 different nations on July 3, 2026.

Opening remarks were given by Minister of Defense of Mongolia Gürsediin Saikhanbayar and Major General Gavin Gardner, commanding general, 8th Theater Sustainment Command.

“The Khaan Quest exercise once again proves the importance of cooperation among nations and strengthening peace and security. It also provides us the opportunity to work together in unity for our shared values. At the same time, this exercise has become an important event that has put military cooperation at the global and regional level into practical action,” said Saikhanbayar.

Since 2003, Khaan Quest has been a peacekeeping operations exercise hosted annually by the Mongolian Armed Forces and co-sponsored by U.S. Army Pacific. Khaan Quest 2026 is a multinational, multilateral and multicomponent training exercise designed to promote peace and security throughout the Indo-Pacific region.

"Over the years, Khaan Quest has grown into a premier event that not only strengthens interoperability, deepens regional security cooperation, and advances our shared interests," said Maj. Gen. Gardner.

This year marked the 23rd iteration of Khaan Quest. Approximately 1,300 participants from Australia, Canada, Egypt, Germany, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Mongolia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the United States, and additional partner nations took part in the exercise. The event featured both command post and field training exercises focused on peacekeeping, disaster relief, civil unrest response, and enhancing interoperability through cross-cultural communication.

“I am deeply appreciative of what our Soldiers across all nations have accomplished together. The skills they have gained not only deepened our people-to-people relationships but also strengthened our collective capacity to respond swiftly and effectively to future peacekeeping missions, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief operations,” said Maj. Gen. Gardner.

During the exercise, participants were encouraged to partake in multicultural events and forge friendships. Each night after training, a participating nation performed a cultural demonstration to build relationships and foster cultural appreciation.

“Our people-to-people relationships, forged through exercises like Khaan Quest, demonstrate the profound value we place on our allies and partners,” said Maj. Gen. Gardner. “As I look across the parade field and into the stands, I see a remarkable diversity of military uniforms and individuals from around the world. Though our uniforms may differ, we are united for a common purpose and a shared commitment to peace and stability.”

The closing ceremony featured traditional Mongolian music and Mongolian soldiers in ceremonial garb.

“May the friendship of all the peacekeepers of the world and the blue helmets of the peacekeepers, who have united under the common goal of establishing peace throughout the world and who have met and built bonds of friendship under the blue skies and vast open lands of my beautiful homeland, remain strong,” said Saikhanbayar. “May our world be filled with peace and tranquility.”

Healthilife — British Vitamins now available in Darkhan www.britishbusinesscentre.com

We’re pleased to announce Healthilife (UK) vitamins are now on sale in Darkhan. Available at the Darkhan‑Uul Provincial Health Office and Olzii Amgalan Pharmacy.

Erdenet outlets opening soon.

• Certified to Mongolia’s Ministry of Health standards
• Official distributor: British Business Centre

Official locations & retail partners:

British Business Centre (Baruun 4 Zam, Golomt Complex)
British Shop (Organic Market, River Garden)
Buy Mart (50‑mangat)
Hospitals & pharmacies:

Europharma pharmacy network
Songdo Hospital pharmacy
National Third Central Hospital (3rd hospital)
“Bayar” Neurology Clinic (Misheel M1 Tower)
Darkhan‑Uul Provincial Health Office — Olzii Amgalan Pharmacy (free delivery)
Contact: +976 7755 2002
www.britishbusinesscentre.com
management@britishbusinesscentre.com

Mongolia’s ambassador sees Lee visit opening new 'golden era' in Seoul-Ulaanbaatar ties www.koreajoongangdaily.com

President Lee Jae Myung arrives in Ulaanbaatar on Thursday for the first state visit by a South Korean leader to Mongolia in 15 years — a trip Mongolian Ambassador Sukhee Sukhbold has spent much of his post in Seoul quietly lobbying for.

"[Since the last state visit,] exchanges continued, but most of them came from Mongolia. There had been no return state visit from South Korea," Sukhbold said during an interview with the Korea JoongAng Daily three days before the visit at Seoul Nomad, a newly-opened Mongolian restaurant in eastern Seoul. "That was my main focus."
It's a visit that underscores an unusual balancing act.

Mongolia has been one of South Korea's closest partners in the region for over three decades. But its ties with the North run even longer, and remain unbroken.

Mongolia’s embassy in Pyongyang, Sukhbold said, "has operated continuously without disruption, even through the pandemic," a legacy stretching back to the 1950-53 Korean War, when Mongolia took in and fed North Korean evacuees as other countries shuttered their missions. Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong-un's grandfather, visited the country twice.

That history has made Mongolia something of a diplomatic bridge — a role it has tried to formalize through the annual Ulaanbaatar Dialogue, multilateral talks on regional security held since 2014, which South Korea's unification minister attended this year. It's also why Mongolia is periodically floated as a possible venue for a potential summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and U.S. President Donald Trump.

While nothing is set yet, Sukhbold said cautiously that if anything becomes more concrete, his government will stand ready to provide “logistics” or “whatever is needed” to host such talks.

That position hasn't stopped Mongolia from embracing the South just as closely.

"Maybe it's because we are connected by blood, or reconnected through culture," he said. "You will not see so many Chinese restaurants, even in the capital" — this in a country wedged between China and Russia.

Sukhbold, a career diplomat who began as a junior official at the United Nations — and, before that, a child jockey — arrived in Seoul in 2024 as his first bilateral posting.

Below are excerpts from the interview, edited for length and clarity.

Q. This will be President Lee's first trip to Mongolia, and a Korea leader's first state visit there in 15 years. How did it come about?
A. President Lee's visit will come 15 years after Lee Myung-bak paid a state visit in 2011. Since that time, exchanges have continued, but most of them came from the Mongolian side. We really appreciate that your president's office has accepted our invitation. Not only that — after 15 years, we also marked the 35th anniversary of our diplomatic relations last year.

The "Golden Era of Korea-Mongolia Relations" Joint Declaration is expected to present a shared vision for Mongolia-Korea relations and provide a roadmap for advancing our strategic partnership in the years ahead. Traditionally and historically, in our own expression — even in Korean — when we have something unique, a different historical moment, we always compare it with gold. It's like a new era for cooperation, and it will be intensified.

What's on the agenda?
Our two leaders will meet and discuss bilateral relations, strengthening cooperation in trade and investment, especially in rare earths, as well as in education, health and environment. 

Why is Mongolia positioning itself as a partner in critical minerals and rare earths specifically?
Mongolia offers abundant natural resources, while Korea brings advanced technologies, industrial expertise and innovation. Together, we can build resilient supply chains that benefit both economies. Your government has just announced a very ambitious plan — in the next four years, Korea is going to be one of the top three countries in AI. That means you will require certain mineral resources. Nowadays you are heavily dependent on China, so Mongolia can be one of the partners in the supply chain.

The Second National Cancer Center is a flagship medical initiative leveraging Korean expertise. What concrete progress has been made ahead of the summit?
The Mongolian government has allocated specific land for the hospital. We are now building up the infrastructure — not the hospital itself yet. Last year, we proposed financing to the Korean government. This year, Korea's Finance Ministry will conduct a feasibility study for the cancer center. Once that comes back, we will talk about the next step for financing.

You mentioned environment is also on the agenda. What's the main initiative there?
One of our most successful cooperation efforts is the Greenbelt Project, launched in 2007 with Korea's forest service, which has supported afforestation and helped fight desertification and yellow dust across the region for nearly two decades. We expect the two sides to launch its fourth phase during President Lee's visit.

What role can Mongolia play in easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula?
Since 1992, when we declared our nuclear-weapon-free status at the UN, we have been trying to be the mediator, or a platform for engaging all stakeholders discussing peace and security in Northeast Asia.

Since 2014, we have hosted the Ulaanbaatar Dialogue on Northeast Asian Security, bringing together government officials, scholars and experts from both Koreas, the United States, China, Russia, Japan and other countries to discuss regional security and confidence-building measures. We were particularly pleased that Unification Minister Chung Dong-young participated at this year's forum and shared his proposal to revive dialogue on the Korean Peninsula.

Our role is not to produce dramatic breakthroughs, but to help keep channels of communication open. Especially during times of heightened tension, maintaining dialogue is itself an important contribution to regional peace and security.

Mongolia is often floated as a potential venue if U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korea's Kim Jong-un were to meet again. What's your reaction to that speculation?
If we are the big potential candidate for hosting a summit, then we could look at our logistics or preparations, whatever is needed. But I can't say now.

Given Mongolia's position between Russia and China, how do you explain its "Third Neighbor" foreign policy?
You could read our foreign policy concept in English — it clearly lists who the third neighbors are, but it doesn't mean we are lining them up or numbering them. South Korea is one of them, but South Korea is very unique, very close.

Multilateralism has become a real buzzword lately, but some argue that it doesn't work anymore. Does this affect how Mongolia, as a small country, approaches its overall diplomacy?
The first reason for the UN's establishment was to build peace and security — that was the main mandate. Unfortunately, the UN has taken on its own broader mandate, and it doesn't have sufficient human and financial resources to maintain peace and security, which was the main aim. But for Mongolia, as a small country, we always rely on the UN and a rules-based international order. That's why my government's policy concentrates on a multi-pillar foreign policy — we have to communicate with everyone, including the UN, because it's also our platform for engaging with others.

Where do you see the deepest cultural connections between Mongolia and Korea?
We have many common senses, and historically we've been connected for a long time. During the Silla Dynasty (57 B.C. to A.D. 935), around ten Korean students were sent to Mongolia to study the Mongolian language. Later, during the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368), Korean crown princes had to go to Mongolia to be trained and endorsed before they could be proclaimed king. Even Andong soju was made using a methodology from Mongolia. And all Mongolians are born with the Mongolian spot, as are Koreans — so we're connected by blood, language and culture.

What are the characteristics of Mongolian food?
Because we're nomadic, we move at least four times a year, following our animals. That's why we don't really make banchan (side dishes) the way you do in Korea — our food is simple, but always tied to nature. In winter we mostly eat meat, but in summer, we mostly eat yogurt and drink milk.

For khorkhog, we put everything in a pot, heat stones, add a small amount of water and meat, and vegetables if you like. You have to feel the stone with your fingers to check if it's hot enough — it's almost medicinal. If your fingers can just barely stand the heat, your blood circulation speeds up, which is considered good, like a form of traditional medicine. Making it properly takes a lot of preparation work, which is why it's treated as a special welcome dish for guests. Even now, when I go back home, I go out to the countryside with friends to do this.

Horseback racing is considered a universal experience for most Mongolian kids growing up. What about your own experience?
I grew up as a child jockey. I spent many years around our livestock. Herders would sometimes ask me to ride for them, and I'd say yes. I rode for three years, then I was "fired" because I was too heavy! At ten years old I was already about 24 kilograms (52 pounds), which is too heavy for long-distance horse racing. Some kids can keep riding even at twelve, if they stay small enough.

What's your favorite Korean dish?
I already have it in my mind — I like samgyetang. I arrived two years ago, just in the middle of the cold season — I didn't know that Koreans eat samgyetang during the hot weather. A friend invited me to a restaurant for the first time, and I tasted it, and I loved it. Every summer, I go almost every week — even yesterday, I went.

BY SEO JI-EUN   [seo.jieun1@joongang.co.kr]

EXCLUSIVE: Interview with President Lee Jae Myung Ahead of His State Visit to Mongolia www.montsame.mn

 President of the Republic of Korea Lee Jae Myung will pay a State Visit to Mongolia from July 9 to 11, 2026. Ahead of his visit, he gave an exclusive interview to MONTSAME. This is what he had to say about his visit.  President Lee outlines his vision for elevating bilateral relations to a "strategic partnership", what he calls a "New Golden Era" of Mongolia-Korea relations.

-What is the purpose and significance of your State Visit to Mongolia?

-This State Visit carries special significance for me. Compared to other Presidents in the history of the Republic of Korea, I am visiting Mongolia sooner after taking office than any of my predecessors. It is also the first State Visit by a Korean head of state in 15 years, which gives it particular weight. Last September, I spoke by telephone with President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, and we found common ground on the development of relations between our two countries. I am truly delighted to now meet in person and discuss the new future of our bilateral relationship.

I consider it a great honor to have been invited as a guest of honor to the National Naadam Festival — a celebration that embodies the pride, freedom, and independence of the Mongol people. I understand that Naadam is not simply a festival, but a celebration in which Mongolia's history, unique culture, and national spirit reside. By visiting during Naadam, I hope to experience that atmosphere together with the Mongol people and to reflect once again on the common values our two countries share — freedom, independence, and sovereignty.

Mongolia and Korea are close partners that have built firm mutual trust over the past 36 years, grounded in the shared values of democracy and a free market economy. Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1990, our two countries have steadily developed cooperation across politics, the economy, culture, and people-to-people exchange, even amid complex geopolitical circumstances.

I Hope This Visit Will Be a Step Toward Opening a "New Golden Era" of Mongolia-Korea Relations Together

Through this visit, I hope to elevate Mongolia-Korea relations to a future-oriented "strategic partnership" — and I hope this will be a step toward opening a "New Golden Era" of Mongolia-Korea relations together. I understand that for Mongolians, the word "golden" symbolizes prosperity and honor. I believe the "Golden Era" of Mongolia-Korea relations that our two countries will build together will open a new chapter filled with pride for the peoples of both nations.

I would also like to express my gratitude to Mongolia for its consistent support of our Government's efforts for peace on the Korean Peninsula. Beyond this, our two countries face no shortage of challenges to address together — trade and supply chains, healthcare, combating climate change, and ensuring food security. I hope this visit will create opportunities for tangible results on these pressing issues, and I am confident it will be a valuable occasion for Mongolia and Korea to affirm that we are partners building the future together as each other's most trusted friends.

-Ensuring a stable supply of critical minerals and supply chains has become a crucial global challenge. Korea has been investing in Mongolia's critical minerals sector and established the Korea-Mongolia Joint Rare Metals Committee. What model of cooperation can our two countries develop in this field?

-Today, critical minerals are strategic assets that underpin industry, technology, and national security. Building safe and reliable supply chains has become a vital challenge for every country. From this perspective, Mongolia — with its abundant mineral wealth and development potential — and Korea — with its strengths in mining exploration, technological development, and industrial innovation — can become vital supply chain partners for one another.

Our two countries established the Korea-Mongolia Joint Rare Metals Committee in 2023, creating an institutional framework for cooperation. Korean enterprises have invested in exploration and development projects in Mongolia covering coking coal, tungsten, copper, and other resources.

Going forward, we need to take this cooperation to the next level on that foundation. I believe we should broaden the scope of joint participation in mining development and build a cooperation model based on supply chains that add value and grow together. For example, we can create a business model in which both sides participate across every stage of the critical minerals supply chain — from exploration to processing, high value-added industrial linkages, recycling, and human resource development. I hope the Korea-Mongolia Rare Metals Research Center, which opened last year, will become a hub for developing cooperation to expand the critical minerals supply chains of our two countries.

This cooperation will serve as a foundation supporting a stable supply of critical minerals for Korea, while contributing to advanced industrial development, value creation, and technological progress for Mongolia. I hope this model of cooperation will continue sustainably, strengthening our bilateral relationship and supporting both economies.

-One in ten Mongolians has experience working in Korea, and Korea is home to the largest community of Mongolian residents in the world. Korean culture — K-dramas and the Korean language — also has a significant influence on the Mongolian people. What efforts do you believe are needed to expand cooperation in people-to-people exchange?

-I have heard that there is a saying in Mongolia: "You may conquer the world on horseback, but to govern, you must dismount and win the hearts of the people."

I believe this saying captures the essence of Mongolia-Korea relations. The force that truly binds countries together is human goodwill and trust. This serves as a compass for our bilateral relations, and the real engine of development comes from the hearts and mutual trust of our peoples.

Last year, the number of travelers between our two countries reached a historic high of 360,000. The number of Korean citizens visiting Mongolia is growing every year, and the number of Mongolians traveling to Korea is rising as well. More than 60,000 Mongolian citizens are building the shared future of Korea and Mongolia in Korean industry, universities, and research institutes.

To create tangible improvements that citizens of both countries can feel in their daily lives, we will also sign an agreement on the mutual recognition of driver's licenses and work toward concluding a consular agreement.

Trust and friendship between our peoples form the foundation of Mongolia-Korea relations — stronger than any agreement. At my summit meeting with President Khurelsukh, I will propose raising people-to-people exchange between our two countries to 500,000 by 2030, the year marking the 40th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. To create tangible improvements that citizens of both countries can feel in their daily lives, we will also sign an agreement on the mutual recognition of driver's licenses and work toward concluding a consular agreement — laying the institutional groundwork to prepare together for the era of 500,000 exchanges.

Going forward, we must work together not only to increase the numbers, but to improve the quality of these exchanges. We will steadily improve conditions and treatment for Mongolian workers and students residing in Korea. We also need to jointly build practical foundations for more convenient travel between our two countries, including expanding air routes and flight frequencies. Through this, we will create an environment in which the citizens of both countries embrace one another as close and trusted friends, and as partners opening the future together.

-Since 2013, Mongolia has organized the Ulaanbaatar Dialogue on Northeast Asian Security and has served as a neutral bridge between South and North Korea. How do you assess Mongolia's role in establishing lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula?

-Mongolia is a close partner that shares with Korea the common values of democracy and a free market economy, while also being a unique neighbor that has long maintained traditional friendly relations with North Korea. Moreover, Mongolia has maintained balanced relations not only with China and Russia but with other key countries of the region, contributing to peace and stability in Northeast Asia. I believe this diplomatic capacity of Mongolia is more important now than at any time before.

The Ulaanbaatar Dialogue on Northeast Asian Security, organized by Mongolia, has served as a valuable platform for openly discussing ways to ease regional tensions and build trust. We share this conviction and participate actively — at this year's Ulaanbaatar Dialogue in June, our Minister of Unification attended and presented the Korean Government's policy toward North Korea.

Our government seeks to end the era of hostility and confrontation between South and North Korea and to build a new era of peaceful coexistence and shared growth on the Korean Peninsula. To realize this vision, we plan to comprehensively pursue the expansion and normalization of inter-Korean relations, along with a phased approach to denuclearization.

Regrettably, both inter-Korean dialogue and dialogue between North Korea and the United States have long been at a standstill. In this situation, it is important for the international community to maintain channels of communication with North Korea and to create platforms for discussing regional peace. Mongolia, as a trusted partner for peace that also maintains dialogue with North Korea, can play a significant role built on the trust it has accumulated in the region.

I hope that Mongolia, drawing on the diplomatic trust it has built and the valuable asset that is the Ulaanbaatar Dialogue, will contribute even more to peace and stability — not only on the Korean Peninsula but across Northeast Asia as a whole. I believe that the power to create peace comes not from military force, but from mutual trust and dialogue.

-What outcomes do you hope Mongolia-Korea relations will achieve? Please also share your message to the Mongolian people and our readers.

-I want Korea-Mongolia relations to be more than a relationship that exists on diplomatic documents — I want it to be a partnership that is tangibly felt in the daily lives of the citizens of both countries.

We aim to open the era of 500,000 people-to-people exchanges by 2030, the 40th anniversary of our diplomatic relations, and to build a real foundation for young Mongolians to seek more opportunities in Korea, and for Korean enterprises to seek more opportunities in Mongolia. We aim to deliver concrete results in areas that directly affect the lives of our citizens — building resource and supply chains, healthcare, food security, and combating climate change.

At this time of rapid geopolitical change in Northeast Asia, I attach great importance to cooperation with Mongolia — a country fulfilling its responsibilities in the international community, endowed with abundant resources and the diplomatic asset of balanced foreign relations. Rather than short-term results, I hope to solidify the foundations of medium and long-term cooperation. I believe this is the most valuable legacy we can pass on to our future generations.

Korea regards Mongolia as its most trusted friend, with whom it has shared common values. At this very moment, there are more than 60,000 Mongolians working diligently in every corner of Korean society, studying at universities and research institutes, and learning the Korean language and culture. Their hard work and dedication bring vitality to Korean industry and local communities, and they are the greatest force bringing Korean society closer to Mongolia.

The Republic of Korea and Mongolia have traveled a 36-year journey of understanding each other's joys and hardships and growing together. I hope we will remain faithful partners through the times ahead. To the people of Mongolia reading this, I express my deep respect and send my warmest friendship. Баярлалаа (Thank you)!

Government Approves Renewable Energy Projects Across Six Aimags www.montsame.mn

 The Government decided to organize auctions to implement renewable energy projects through private sector investment. These include solar power plants with battery energy storage systems in Bugat soum of Bayan-Ulgii aimag, Umnugobi soum of Uvs aimag, Ulziit soum of Bayankhongor aimag, Baruun-Urt soum of Sukhbaatar aimag, and Bayantumen soum of Dornod aimag. A wind power plant project will also be auctioned for Saintsagaan soum of Dundgobi aimag.

The Government also instructed Minister of Energy Naidalaa Badrakh to conduct feasibility studies and organize auctions for privately funded renewable energy projects in the southern Gobi region. These include solar and wind power plants equipped with battery storage in Tsogttsetsii and Khanbogd soums of Umnugobi aimag and Mandakh soum of Dornogobi aimag. The projects are intended to harness the Gobi region's abundant renewable energy resources, address power shortages in southern Mongolia, and meet the growing electricity demand from the mining sector and regional development.

In addition, the Government directed the Ministry of Energy to organize auctions for privately financed projects featuring hybrid distributed solar generation and battery storage systems for soums and settlements, as well as electric vehicle charging stations, based on relevant feasibility studies. Contracts will be concluded with successful bidders in accordance with applicable legislation, and the projects will be commissioned in phases to improve the reliability and quality of electricity supply nationwide.

Government Initiates State-Owned Enterprise Reforms in Line with International Standards www.montsame.mn

The Government of Mongolia aims to improve the governance of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and subsequently offer them on domestic and international stock markets by bundling them under a National Investment Fund by 2027.

In this context, the Government has initiated state property policy reforms to align with international standards, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation on July 8, 2026, with Franklin Templeton, one of the world's leading investment management firms.

The MoU was signed by Chief of the Cabinet Secretariat of Mongolia Enkhbayar Battumur and CEO of Templeton Asset Management and Chief Investment Officer of Templeton Global Investments Manraj Sekhon.

To elevate the governance of SOEs to a new level, the Government sent proposals for cooperation to 12 leading global investment management organizations. As a result, Franklin Templeton expressed its interest in collaborating, and this MoU was established to determine potential areas of cooperation and define a roadmap for the implementation phases.

Currently, 108 state-owned enterprises are operating in Mongolia, providing jobs to 60.7 thousand people, with total assets reaching MNT 60 trillion. While some of these companies are of strategic importance and others directly compete in the market, their overall governance, profitability, return on assets, and readiness for international investment have not reached an adequate level.

Under this reform, the Government will not pursue a policy of hasty privatization of state properties. Instead, SOEs will first be evaluated using international methodologies. Only after improving their governance, financial, and operational readiness will efforts be directed toward offering them on domestic and international stock markets.

Franklin Templeton is an investment management company with a 75-year history, operating in over 30 countries worldwide. As of May 2026, it manages USD 1.78 trillion in assets. The company holds extensive experience working in Romania and the Republic of Uzbekistan on improving SOE governance, preparing them for stock markets, and attracting international investment.

20 horses gifted to Vietnamese mounted police returned to Mongolia www.asianews.network

Twenty horses previously gifted to the Vietnamese Mounted Police Force under a bilateral law enforcement cooperation framework were officially returned to Mongolia on July 6, 2026.

The repatriation was organized following a proposal from the Vietnamese side, aligning with a recent decree by the President of Mongolia to celebrate the newly established “World Horse Day.” The Mongolian Embassy in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, alongside relevant domestic organizations, coordinated the return of the animals using a special transport aircraft. The complex logistics of the operation were managed through joint cooperation between Mongolian and Vietnamese companies.

The partnership dates back to July 2019, when Vietnam’s Minister of Public Security, To Lam, requested Mongolia’s support in establishing a domestic mounted police unit during an official visit to Ulaanbaatar. In response to the request, a joint working group from Mongolia’s Ministry of Justice and Internal Affairs, along with related agencies, successfully delivered and handed over the horses to Vietnam via a special mission flight in January, 2020.

Mongolia to host inaugural "World Horse Day" at Khui Doloon Khudag www.gogo.mn

Mongolia is set to host the first-ever international "World Horse Day" festival on July 10-13, 2026, at the Khui Doloon Khudag plains.

Initiated by President U.Khurelsukh and officially approved by UNESCO, July 11 has been globally designated to honor the horse's vital contribution to human development and to recognize the rich heritage of Mongolian nomadic culture.

While more than 55 countries will observe the occasion this year according to their own traditions, Mongolia will serve as the primary center for this historic celebration. The multi-day event will feature large-scale activities showcasing national heritage, international equestrian sports, and traditional arts and culture.

Event details:

Dates: July 10–13, 2026
Location: Khui Doloon Khudag, Ulaanbaatar

Minister urges calm amid Naadam fuel panic, confirms ample national reserves www.gogo.mn

During the government's 100-day progress presentation, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources G.Damdinnyam addressed public anxiety over recent fuel shortages, urging citizens to rely on factual data rather than panic.

The Minister explained that the perceived scarcity is driven entirely by a sudden spike in consumer panic-buying ahead of the Naadam holiday, with urban gas stations currently selling three to four times their normal daily volume. Consequently, reserves that typically last several days are being depleted in a single day. Damdinnyam firmly dismissed rumors of an actual shortage, labeling them as politically motivated misinformation.

As of July 4, the country holds a 33-day supply of AI-92 gasoline, a 44-day supply of AI-95, a 27-day supply of diesel, and a 21-day supply of jet fuel.

To further secure long-term domestic needs, the government has signed contracts to import an additional 137,000 tons of petroleum products in July and has placed a subsequent order for 71,000 tons from China. The Ministry expects station congestion to normalize shortly and urges drivers to remain calm as nationwide distribution continues smoothly.

Prospects remain uncertain for North Korean defector interpreter case during Lee's Mongolia visit www.koreaherald.com

The case involving a North Korean interpreter who sought asylum through the South Korean Embassy in Mongolia is unlikely to be resolved quickly despite President Lee Jae Myung's upcoming state visit to Mongolia, with Seoul declining to comment on the issue.

When asked about the case, a Foreign Ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity on Tuesday, declined to comment, saying, “We ask for your understanding that we have nothing to confirm regarding the matter.”

A Unification Ministry official, speaking by phone, echoed the official's position, saying the government was "unable to confirm" whether the issue would be discussed during Lee's state visit to Mongolia, describing it as a diplomatically sensitive matter.

Lee is scheduled to visit Mongolia from Thursday to Saturday after attending the NATO summit in Turkey.

He is scheduled to meet Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh during his visit, the first visit by a South Korean president to the country in 15 years.

According to diplomatic sources, the North Korean interpreter approached the South Korean Embassy in Ulaanbaatar in August 2025 and expressed a desire to defect while accompanying a delegation from the North's Academy of Social Sciences on a visit to Mongolia.

The interpreter's relocation to South Korea has remained unresolved, with diplomatic sources saying that the necessary procedures, which require Mongolia's cooperation, have stalled amid objections from North Korea, which maintains long-standing ties with Mongolia.

The case first came to light in October 2025, when Japan's Kyodo News, citing unnamed diplomatic sources, reported that the interpreter had sought asylum through the South Korean Embassy in Ulaanbaatar while traveling with a delegation led by Thae Hyong-chol, president of North Korea's Academy of Social Sciences.

Kyodo reported that the interpreter's affiliation and position were not disclosed but suggested the individual likely held relatively high status, given Pyongyang's tight restrictions on overseas travel.

Lee's visit comes as Seoul seeks to revive dialogue with Pyongyang after North Korea declared South Korea a hostile state under its "two hostile states" policy and severed official inter-Korean communication channels.

Some observers say Lee could ask Khurelsukh to play a mediating role in facilitating future inter-Korean dialogue, taking advantage of Mongolia's long-standing relations with both Koreas.

National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said in a briefing last week that Lee and Khurelsukh would discuss ways to promote peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, reduce regional tensions, build mutual trust and explore opportunities to resume dialogue with North Korea.

mkjung@heraldcorp.com