A National Dog Gift and a 'Mannam' Performance... Special State Banquet of the Three Central Asian Countries

Introduced to National Dogs from Turk and Kazakh
Unplanned Tea Talk and Lunch for Fellowship
Sturgeon and 'Ttukbaegi Ramen' on the Table

President Yoon Suk-yeol and First Lady Kim Keon-hee are enjoying holding an Alabai, the national dog of Turkmenistan, after a friendly luncheon with former President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, the country's Supreme Leader and Chairman of the People's Council, and his spouse at a hotel in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, on the 11th (local time).
[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 16th, President Yoon Suk-yeol returned home after completing a state visit to three Central Asian countries. The presidential office stated that during this tour, they were able to confirm Central Asia's willingness to strengthen cooperation with South Korea. Beyond the scheduled summits, President Yoon accompanied almost all events, including luncheons, dinners, business forums, cultural performances, and airport farewells, dedicating great effort to building trust between the two countries.

First, in Turkmenistan, the first country visited, on the 10th (local time), President Serdar Berdimuhamedow and his wife introduced three 'Alabai' dogs, the national dog breed, after a state dinner with President Yoon and his wife. It was reported that President Yoon was very fond of the Alabai dogs at this event.

The next day, on the 11th, President Yoon and his wife had lunch with the father of the Turkmen president and supreme leader, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, and his wife. At this occasion, the Turkmen supreme leader surprised President Yoon and his wife with two Alabai dogs along with their pedigree certificates. A presidential office official said, "At that time, the Turkmen supreme leader mentioned that the puppies would be waiting upon arrival in Korea," adding, "However, due to various quarantine and transportation issues, the Alabai dogs are scheduled to arrive on the 18th."

Additionally, despite the scorching temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, the Turkmen supreme leader and his wife personally came to the airport to see off President Yoon and his wife, waving their hands until the presidential plane took off. In response, the Korean side requested the accompanying staff seated by the window to wave through the in-flight broadcast.

President Yoon Suk-yeol and First Lady Kim Keon-hee were introduced to a dog raised by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in front of a traditional Kazakh portable dwelling called a "yurt" while viewing the special exhibition "The Golden Steppe" in the lobby of the National Academy Kalibek Kuanysh Drama Theater in Astana, Kazakhstan, on the afternoon of the 12th (local time).
[Image source=Yonhap News]

In Kazakhstan, on the 12th (local time), the day of the cultural performance, before the show began, the Kazakh president introduced the national dog breed 'Tazy' to President Yoon and his wife. The couple enjoyed spending time with the Tazy dogs at this event. After the performance, the Kazakh president's side requested an impromptu tea meeting, which lasted for 40 minutes. The Kazakh president also personally saw off President Yoon and his wife at the airport upon their departure and spontaneously arranged a luncheon serving sturgeon dishes.

In Uzbekistan, traditional attire was prepared weeks in advance for First Lady Kim Keon-hee's state visit. This traditional outfit was designed by the nephew of the Uzbek first lady, who is a fashion designer, and completed with embroidery by traditional artisans. Mrs. Kim wore this traditional attire at the state dinner and the friendly luncheon to show respect for the local culture.

President Yoon Suk-yeol and First Lady Kim Keon-hee visited the ancient city of Samarkand, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, on the last day of their state visit to three Central Asian countries on the 15th (local time), greeting performers at the Eternal City.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Uzbek state dinner was originally scheduled for 90 minutes but extended to over two hours, featuring various performances by the country's top artists. Accompanied by the national orchestra, leading local singers performed Korean songs such as "Come Back to Busan Port" and "Meeting." Following the Uzbek president's instruction to find out President Yoon's favorite songs, Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" was also performed. President Yoon expressed his gratitude, saying, "Two songs I liked during my school days are Don McLean's 'American Pie' and Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody,' and I appreciate that Uzbekistan knew and welcomed me with these first."

The Uzbek president and his wife personally accompanied President Yoon to his final destination, Samarkand, guiding him and his wife through major historical sites such as Registan Square, Amir Mausoleum, Afrosiyob Museum, and Ulugh Beg Observatory. At the friendly luncheon, they placed 'ttukbaegi ramen' on the table for President Yoon and his wife, who had limited opportunities to enjoy Korean cuisine during the tour. After the luncheon, the leaders traveled together to the airport, and the Uzbek president saw them off at the plane.

A presidential office official told reporters that day, "What we felt during this tour was that the presidents of the three Central Asian countries made several unplanned opportunities for tea meetings or luncheons to spend even a little more time with President Yoon." He added, "Also, since President Yoon and his wife raise several pets and actively promote messages of animal love, it seems the counterpart countries considered this aspect in their diplomatic activities."