Ahn Cheol-soo Meets Biden: "Friendly Conversation with a University of Pennsylvania Alumnus"

Yoon Introduces Ahn Cheol-soo to Biden as "The Person Who Helped Win the Presidential Election"

President Yoon Suk-yeol and U.S. President Joe Biden are toasting at a welcome dinner held on the afternoon of the 21st at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan, Seoul. The lower right is former Presidential Transition Committee Chairman Ahn Cheol-soo. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Nayeon] Former Presidential Transition Committee Chairman Ahn Cheol-soo shared the conversation he had with U.S. President Joe Biden at the welcome dinner held after the Korea-U.S. summit, saying, "As alumni, I had the opportunity to have a friendly conversation without an interpreter."

On the 22nd, Ahn posted on Facebook, "Yesterday, I was invited to and attended the Korea-U.S. summit dinner held at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan, Seoul," adding, "As one of the citizens who hoped for a principled and meaningful summit, it was a great personal honor to be invited as a head table member to the first summit dinner since President Yoon's inauguration."

Ahn said, "President Yoon introduced me first as I sat directly opposite President Biden at the round table, which led to laughter as I shared that I earned a Master of Engineering and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Pennsylvania, and President Biden shared that he was once a professor at the University of Pennsylvania."

Ahn expressed, "As the 20th Presidential Transition Committee Chairman who prepared the national blueprint for this administration, I feel very honored to attend the state dinner," and added, "I actively support the common resolutions on politics, economy, and security announced by the two presidents in their joint statement."

He continued, "The national interest of the Republic of Korea cannot be discussed without mentioning the Korea-U.S. relationship. I hope the Korea-U.S. relationship will develop not only as a security alliance but also as an economic alliance and a comprehensive alliance including a super-gap science and technology alliance, paving the way for Korea's prosperity," and added, "I will do my best in the given position to help the two countries advance toward a more progressive relationship with united strength."