Yoon to Host State Dinner Following Korea-US Summit on the 26th of Next Month

Attended the Luncheon Hosted by Vice President Kamala Harris the Next Day

President Yoon Suk-yeol will hold a summit meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden in the United States on the 26th of next month. The following day, he will also have lunch with Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Kim Eun-hye, the Chief Public Relations Officer of the Presidential Office, told reporters at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the 9th, "There is an additional schedule related to President Yoon and First Lady Kim Geon-hee's state visit to the United States," adding, "Following the official welcoming ceremony on the 26th of next month, the Korea-U.S. summit will proceed immediately." A state dinner is also planned on the day of the summit.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, the Presidential Office stated, "President Yoon's state visit to the United States is taking place in a historic year marking the 70th anniversary of the Korea-U.S. alliance." It is the first state visit by a Korean president to the U.S. in 12 years since 2011, and President Yoon will be the second head of state to visit the U.S. under the Biden administration.

Chief Kim said, "It is expected that they will celebrate the achievements of the Korea-U.S. alliance accumulated over 70 years and have in-depth discussions on the future development direction of the alliance," adding, "In particular, based on the discussions held at the Korea-U.S. summits in May and November last year, they are expected to derive concrete and practical cooperation measures in various fields including combined defense posture and extended deterrence, future advanced technology and economic security, cultural and human exchanges, as well as regional and international challenges."

She further emphasized, "President Yoon's state visit to the U.S. will be a historic turning point for the Korea-U.S. alliance to evolve more proactively in response to rapidly changing international circumstances and future uncertainties," adding, "Through this, it is anticipated that a 'strong alliance in action' will be realized, protecting the lives and safety of the peoples of both countries, upholding core values, and advancing toward the prosperity of future generations."

Among the forms of visits by foreign heads of state, a state visit?the highest level of honor?includes an official welcoming ceremony such as a guard of honor inspection, a gun salute, a state dinner, and high-level welcoming and farewell ceremonies. The Blair House, the official guesthouse, will be provided as accommodation. Since President Biden took office in January 2021, the only head of state to have made a state visit to the U.S. was French President Emmanuel Macron in December last year.

There have been a total of six state visits by Korean presidents to the U.S. so far: President Syngman Rhee in 1954, President Park Chung-hee in 1965, President Roh Tae-woo in 1991, President Kim Young-sam in 1995, President Kim Dae-jung in 1998, and President Lee Myung-bak in 2011.