Sharing Nuclear Power Plant Contracting Know-How... Discussing Current Political Issues
President Yoon Suk-yeol is having dinner with former President Lee Myung-bak and their spouses on the afternoon of the 12th at the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]
President Yoon Suk-yeol invited former President Lee Myung-bak to the Hannam-dong residence on the 12th for a dinner with their spouses. This was the first time President Yoon had dinner with former President Lee since taking office.
The Blue House announced that "the dinner with President Yoon and First Lady Kim Keon-hee, and former President Lee and Mrs. Kim Yoon-ok began around 6:30 p.m." Also attending the dinner was Presidential Chief of Staff Jeong Jin-seok, who served as the Senior Secretary for Political Affairs during the Lee Myung-bak administration, along with his spouse.
President Yoon had previously met former President Lee when Lee paid respects at the funeral of Yoon’s late father, Yoon Ki-jung, an honorary professor at Yonsei University, in August last year. Earlier, at the end of 2022, President Yoon granted a special New Year pardon that pardoned and reinstated former President Lee.
When the former president and his wife arrived at the residence, President Yoon and his wife personally welcomed them and exchanged greetings. Wearing a no-tie suit suitable for a relaxed conversation, President Yoon asked former President Lee, "How have you been?" to which Lee replied, "Oh, it’s good to see you. How much hardship have you endured?"
Former President Lee also shook hands with Mrs. Kim and greeted her with "Nice to see you," to which she responded, "Thank you."
They then moved together to the dining room, and after President Yoon and former President Lee entered, First Lady Kim Keon-hee and Mrs. Kim Yoon-ok followed.
President Yoon Suk-yeol and First Lady Kim Keon-hee had a dinner meeting on the afternoon of the 12th at the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul, with former President Lee Myung-bak and Mrs. Kim Yoon-ok, as well as Chief Presidential Secretary Jeong Jin-seok and his spouse. [Image source=Yonhap News]
During the dinner, President Yoon and former President Lee exchanged views on major national issues, including nuclear power plant exports and the normalization of the nuclear power ecosystem.
In particular, the successful bid in December 2009 to build the Barakah nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) laid the foundation for Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power being selected as the preferred negotiator for the 24 trillion won Czech nuclear power plant construction project. It is reported that they shared know-how related to this achievement.
Former President Lee, who has a background as a business executive, focused on nuclear power, defense exports, and resource diplomacy during his tenure, leading efforts to secure the UAE nuclear power project. He also has close ties with the UAE president, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, having hosted him at his residence during the president’s visit to Korea in May, which greatly benefited bilateral relations.
President Yoon attentively listened to various insights regarding the UAE nuclear power project and sought advice related to nuclear power, defense exports, and resource diplomacy.
The dinner menu included Korean beef galbi (short ribs), freshly cooked rice in a pot, and beef soybean paste stew, all dishes favored by former President Lee and personally selected by President Yoon. Side dishes included grilled yellow croaker, japchae (stir-fried glass noodles), seafood pancakes, and pumpkin pancakes. Appetizers featured shrimp, abalone with pine nut sauce cold salad, and sweet pumpkin porridge, with fruit served for dessert.
The Blue House stated, "Considering the age of former President Lee and his wife, President Yoon personally selected foods that are easy to digest and comfortable to eat," adding, "Upon learning that Mrs. Kim Yoon-ok recently had difficulty moving due to a toe injury, President Yoon and his wife carefully arranged the movement routes within the residence in advance."
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