Rep. Kim Dae-sik and Cho Jeong-hoon Invited to Trump's Inauguration Ceremony

Likely to Attend the Ball and Interact with US Political and Government Figures

Kim Dae-sik and Cho Jeong-hoon, members of the People Power Party, have been invited to the inauguration ceremony of U.S. President Trump scheduled for January 20 next year. They plan to attend the inauguration and the ball to interact with U.S. lawmakers.

Yonhap News

On the 23rd, Kim told reporters at the National Assembly, "It is customary in the U.S. not to extend a national invitation to the presidential inauguration," and "inviting to the ball is the original (customary) practice."

He added, "I was also invited to President Obama's inauguration in 2008, and a total of eight balls were held," explaining, "There are balls attended by the president and first lady, and senators extend the invitations." It is known that Kim and Cho will attend the ball upon invitation from U.S. Republican Senator Ted Cruz.

Kim said, "If I go, I will meet and interact not only with U.S. senators but also with political and government figures," and added, "Since the ROK-U.S. alliance is strong, South Korea may appear to be in turmoil, but please trust the Korean people and the National Assembly. I intend to strengthen intimacy through this opportunity."

Domestically, Shin Yong-jin, chairman of Shinsegae Group, was the first to meet with President-elect Trump. He visited the U.S. through an introduction by Trump Jr. and reportedly had a 10 to 15-minute conversation with the president-elect. He explained that the specific details of the conversation with President Trump are difficult to disclose.