Kishida to Yoon: "Looking Forward to Your Remarks on the Global Agenda at the G7"

Yoon-Kishida Couples Dine at Hannam-dong Residence
Dinner Menu Includes Gujeolpan, Tangpyeongchae, and 'Gyeongju Beopju'
Also Discussed Atomic Bomb Victims

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida proposed to President Yoon Suk-yeol on the 7th, saying, "I look forward to your valuable remarks on the global agenda at this month's Hiroshima G7 Summit."

Prime Minister Kishida made this remark during a dinner held at the Hannam-dong residence in the afternoon, hosted by President Yoon and First Lady Kim Keon-hee, according to a written briefing by Lee Do-woon, spokesperson for the Presidential Office.

Prime Minister Kishida invited President Yoon to the G7 Summit to be held in Hiroshima, Japan, at the end of this month. During the summit, the two leaders agreed to jointly pay respects at the memorial for Korean victims of the Hiroshima atomic bombing.

President Yoon introduced the residence as "a place originally built 55 years ago as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs minister's official residence for welcoming foreign dignitaries," and served traditional Korean cuisine made with agricultural and marine products sourced from various regions of the Republic of Korea to Prime Minister Kishida and his wife.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the Presidential Office, the dinner table featured Gujeolpan, Japchae, Tangpyeongchae, Korean beef galbijjim, oxtail stew, croaker jeon, Korean beef bulgogi, steamed wild prawns, naengmyeon, hangwa, fruits, and Sikhye. Basic side dishes included baek kimchi, mul kimchi, grilled deodeok, and bamboo shoot namul from Damyang.

The dinner wine was Gyeongju Beopju Chotukseon, considered a premium Korean rice wine. This choice was reportedly made considering Prime Minister Kishida's known preference as a 'sake' enthusiast. The two leaders had previously shared a 'Harmony Drink' made by mixing Korean soju and Japanese beer in March.

Additionally, Prime Minister Kishida and his wife, who are from Hiroshima, shared a warm conversation with First Lady Kim Keon-hee and Mrs. Yuko, empathizing over their connection with Monk Donghee, who conducted the Surukjae ritual at Jingwansa Temple that they all attended today. Monk Donghee has visited Hiroshima several times for Korean atomic bomb victims there.

The dinner, which included a garden walk, lasted about two hours starting from 7:30 p.m.