Spanish King Welcomes President Moon at Madrid Royal Palace

Ceremonial Guard, Military Band, Cavalry Unit Welcome President Moon... Spanish Korean Residents Greet President Moon

[Spain (Madrid) = Joint Press Corps] On the 15th (local time), President Moon Jae-in attended a welcoming event hosted by King Felipe VI of Spain at the Royal Palace in Madrid.

From Korea, Minister of Foreign Affairs Chung Eui-yong, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Moon Seung-wook, Director of the National Security Office Suh Hoon, lawmakers Hong Young-pyo and Yoon Gun-young, Ambassador to Spain Park Sang-hoon and his spouse, Second Deputy Director of the National Security Office Kim Hyung-jin, spokesperson Park Kyung-mi, Foreign Policy Secretary Kim Yong-hyun, and Protocol Chief of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Yoo Jung-hyun were present.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In Spain, about 300 military band members and honor guards welcomed President Moon. Along with the military band’s performance, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia appeared inside the palace, and cheers from the Korean residents waiting outside the palace continued. It is known that about 60 local Korean residents visited the Royal Palace in Madrid to welcome President Moon and his spouse.

Some of the Korean residents were dressed in Taegeuk fans and colorful hanbok jeogori. The signs held by the residents read ‘We love you, Mr. President,’ ‘Do as you please, Eni, we will protect you,’ and ‘I love Moon.’ President Moon and his spouse waved their hands from the car as they passed in front of the residents.

When the vehicle carrying President Moon and his spouse moved up to the front of the palace, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia personally came out to greet them at the car. President Moon wore a navy suit with a purple tie. First Lady Kim Jung-sook was dressed in an ivory dress with a blue jacket.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Moon and King Felipe VI slowly walked past the lined-up honor guards and military band, passing between the cavalry and motorcycle police, inspecting the troops. They walked about 400 meters in a full circle on foot. First Lady Kim Jung-sook and Queen Letizia chatted on the platform accompanied by an interpreter.

President Moon introduced Korean officials to King Felipe VI. Guided by King Felipe VI, President Moon and his spouse were also seen briefly entering the palace.