President Lee Begins Final Day of U.S. Visit
Arrives in Philadelphia, Tours Hanwha Philly Shipyard
Plans to Visit Seo Jaepil Memorial Hall
On August 26 (local time), President Lee Jaemyung began the final day of his visit to the United States by paying respects at Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C.
On this morning, President Lee, accompanied by First Lady Kim Hye-kyung, Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jeonggwan, and National Security Advisor Wi Seongrak, visited Arlington National Cemetery. From the U.S. side, Chief of Protocol Monica Crowley and Washington District Commander Antoinette Gant accompanied President Lee.
At Arlington National Cemetery, the U.S. honor guard and a Korean traditional music band lined up to welcome President Lee, and a 21-gun salute was fired as a mark of respect for a head of state. President Lee then laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, inscribed with "President of the Republic of Korea, Lee Jaemyung." While a requiem was played, President Lee placed his hand over his heart and paid tribute.
Arlington National Cemetery is the resting place of approximately 215,000 soldiers who served in the Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Vietnam War, and other conflicts.
After paying respects at Arlington National Cemetery, President Lee concluded his schedule in Washington, D.C. and traveled to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where Hanwha Philly Shipyard is located. Hanwha Group acquired the shipyard for 100 million dollars in December last year. The shipyard also symbolizes the so-called "MASGA Project," which played a leverage role in last month's tariff negotiations.
Upon arriving in Philadelphia, President Lee plans to visit the memorial hall of independence activist Seo Jaepil, tour the Philly Shipyard, and attend the naming ceremony for the National Security Multi-Purpose Vessel commissioned by the U.S. Maritime Administration. It has been reported that high-ranking officials from the U.S. government will also join the schedule for the day.
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