Turk President "An Important Milestone in the History of Both Countries"
President Yoon Suk-yeol, on a state visit to Turkmenistan, is reviewing the honor guard with Serdar Berdimuhamedow, President of Turkmenistan, at the official welcoming ceremony held at the Presidential Palace in Ashgabat on the afternoon of the 10th (local time). [Image source=Yonhap News]
On the first day of President Yoon Suk-yeol's state visit to Turkmenistan on the 10th (local time), President Serdar Berdimuhamedow of Turkmenistan welcomed President Yoon with special honors. In particular, the two leaders devoted about 1 hour and 40 minutes to a private and expanded meeting to discuss cooperation measures. President Berdimuhamedow stated, "Meeting with our long-time friend Korea is always pleasant and anticipated," adding, "I hope this visit will become an important milestone in the history of cooperation between our two countries."
Kim Tae-hyo, the First Deputy Director of the National Security Office, held a briefing at the press center in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, that evening, saying, "The first day of President Yoon and his spouse's Central Asia tour, with Turkmenistan as the first country visited, has concluded," and "President Berdimuhamedow welcomed President Yoon with the highest honors befitting a state guest."
Upon arriving in Ashgabat that day, President Yoon attended the official welcoming ceremony held at the presidential palace as his first schedule. The vehicle carrying President Yoon entered the presidential palace escorted by a cavalry guard, and a guard of honor inspection was conducted in the presence of both leaders.
Immediately after the official welcoming ceremony, President Yoon entered into a summit meeting with President Berdimuhamedow. According to the presidential office, during the summit, which lasted over 1 hour and 40 minutes including private and expanded talks, the two leaders deeply discussed ways to further deepen and develop the mutually beneficial partnership between the two countries.
President Yoon Suk-yeol, on a state visit to Turkmenistan, is holding a Korea-Turkmenistan bilateral meeting with Serdar Berdimuhamedow, President of Turkmenistan, at the Presidential Palace in Ashgabat on the afternoon of the 10th (local time). [Photo by Yonhap News]
After the summit, President Yoon and his spouse visited the Turkmenistan Independence Monument to lay flowers and plant a tree. Deputy Director Kim explained, "The Independence Monument was erected in 2001 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Turkmenistan's independence, and it is customary for foreign heads of state visiting Turkmenistan to visit this monument."
For the final schedule of the day, President Yoon attended a state banquet hosted by President Berdimuhamedow and his spouse. Deputy Director Kim said, "Very unusually, the banquet was attended by Mrs. Berdimuhamedow, the wife of President Berdimuhamedow," adding, "Mrs. Berdimuhamedow is known for rarely attending official events, with her brief appearance on TV during a year-end family event becoming a major topic. Her presence at the banquet shows that this visit carries very special significance."
At the banquet, traditional Turkmen musical instruments were played, along with numerous Korean folk songs and popular songs. Not only folk songs such as 'Arirang' and 'Doraji' were performed, but also Korean popular songs like 'Young Man,' 'Meeting,' and 'The Person Who Gives Happiness' were played, and melodies from Korean drama OSTs such as 'Queen for Seven Days' attracted attention.
The banquet dishes included veal. A senior official from the presidential office stated, "In accordance with Turkmenistan's tradition of serving veal to honored guests, four types of veal dishes were served as main courses."
President Yoon Suk-yeol and First Lady Kim Keon-hee, who are on a state visit to Turkmenistan, are being guided by the mayor of Ashgabat as they move to lay a wreath at the Turkmenistan Independence Monument on the afternoon of the 10th (local time). [Image source=Yonhap News]
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