Lee Expresses Determination to Eliminate Discrimination Against Foreign Residents
"Eliminating Prejudice Against Migrant Workers Is the Path to Elevating Our National Dignity"
President Lee Jae-myung is giving a toast at the "President's Invitation, Dinner with the Diplomatic Corps in Korea" held at the Blue House State Guest House on the 15th. The event was attended by the diplomatic corps in Korea, the head of the presidential special envoy team, members of the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, ministers of related ministries, and heads of economic organizations. Photo by Yonhap News
President Lee Jae-myung hosted a dinner with the diplomatic corps in Korea and expressed both his apologies and gratitude regarding the domestic political turmoil caused by the December 3 Martial Law Incident. He also pledged to address issues of discrimination against foreigners residing in Korea.
On the 15th, President Lee attended the "President's Invitation, Dinner with the Diplomatic Corps in Korea" at the Blue House State Guest House. This was the first time since his inauguration that President Lee invited the entire diplomatic corps in Korea. The dinner was attended by more than 170 people, including Joseph Yun, the Acting U.S. Ambassador to Korea, ambassadors from 117 resident missions, representatives from 30 international organizations, the head of the presidential special envoy group, members of the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, relevant government ministers, heads of economic organizations, and senior officials from the presidential office and government.
This dinner served as a meet-and-greet with the diplomatic corps, held just two months after the inauguration-much earlier than usual. The presidential office emphasized that the event signaled, both domestically and internationally, that Korean diplomacy had returned to its normal course following the launch of the new administration. It also provided an opportunity to promote the administration's diplomatic plans for the second half of the year and the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju. The event proceeded with a pre-reception, followed by President Lee's dinner speech, the dinner itself, a briefing on APEC preparations by Kim Jin-a, the Second Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, and remarks from the ambassadors.
In his dinner speech, President Lee said, "I imagine that many of you have faced difficulties in your diplomatic activities due to the domestic political unrest following the declaration of martial law. I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep gratitude to all of you for your unwavering trust in the resilience of Korean democracy and the strength of our people as we work to overcome this crisis."
President Lee continued, "Because we had to prepare for the launch of the new administration in haste, we were unable to invite the diplomatic corps to the presidential inauguration ceremony last June. I have heard that there are usually two opportunities for ambassadors to meet the head of state in person: the credential presentation ceremony and the presidential inauguration. I regret that we were unable to provide you with one of these important opportunities."
Lee: "Eliminating Prejudice Against Migrant Workers Is the Path to Elevating Our National Dignity"
President Lee Jae-myung is toasting with Koichi Mizushima, the Japanese Ambassador to Korea, at the "President's Invitation, Dinner with the Diplomatic Corps in Korea" held at the Blue House State Guest House on the 15th. The event was attended by the diplomatic corps in Korea, the head of the presidential special envoy group, members of the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, relevant government ministers, and heads of economic organizations. Photo by Yonhap News
President Lee expressed his determination to resolve issues of discrimination against foreigners residing in Korea. He stated, "The global, responsible nation that Korea aspires to be begins with building a society free from prejudice and discrimination. Rather than grand slogans, I believe that treating migrant workers living alongside us without cold stares or prejudice is the true path to elevating Korea's national dignity."
President Lee also said, "Recently, there have been undesirable sentiments of xenophobia and incidents of human rights violations against migrant workers in Korea. I am fully aware of the seriousness of these issues and will respond accordingly. I promise that we will respond thoroughly to any acts of discrimination, violence, or human rights abuses."
He further added, "More than 7 million Koreans live across the world, which is about 10% of the combined population of the two Koreas. I ask you to pay special attention to protecting the rights and safety of our citizens living in your countries."
President Lee Mentions "K-Demon Hunters": "Strengthening Solidarity Through Culture"
President Lee Jae Myung is speaking at the "President's Invitation, Dinner with the Diplomatic Corps in Korea" held on the 15th at the Blue House State Guest House. The event was attended by the diplomatic corps in Korea, the head of the presidential special envoy group, members of the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, ministers of related ministries, and heads of economic organizations. Photo by Yonhap News
President Lee continued, "The number of Koreans traveling abroad and foreign tourists visiting Korea has been steadily recovering since the pandemic. Last year, for the first time, the number of international students studying in Korea exceeded 200,000."
Referring to the globally popular content "K-Pop Demon Hunters," President Lee analyzed, "Culture is now a global community with no geographical or linguistic boundaries." He added, "It is evolving as diverse capital, technology, talent, and platforms come together to create new value, and at its core lies the recognition of difference and the value of coexistence." He asserted, "Through the power of culture, we can further strengthen solidarity, harmony, and cooperation."
Regarding the diplomatic vision of his administration, President Lee described it as "pragmatic diplomacy centered on national interests." He stated, "While we will continue to nurture our longstanding relationships with consistency, we will also seek diverse forms of cooperation and solidarity that enhance mutual interests, without being bound by any particular ideology, in order to respond flexibly to the rapidly changing international landscape."
President Lee added, "I will continue to make every effort to communicate with as many heads of state as possible. Where face-to-face meetings are not possible, I will supplement them through letters and phone calls." He also mentioned his hope to meet and communicate with other leaders at various international events scheduled for this year, including the United Nations General Assembly in September.
Meanwhile, the ambassadors present expressed their heartfelt congratulations to Korea and its people on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Liberation. In particular, Joseph Yun, the Acting U.S. Ambassador to Korea, expressed great expectations for President Lee's visit to the United States at the end of August and wished him great success during the trip, according to the presidential office.
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