"Prime Minister Moon"... Biden Emphasizes ROK-US Alliance but Makes a Slip of the Tongue

A Day Ago, Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister, Mentioned as President

President Moon Jae-in, visiting the United States, is moving to the podium to deliver a speech at the Korean War Medal of Honor ceremony held in the East Room of the White House on the afternoon of the 21st (local time), attended by U.S. President Joe Biden.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] President Joe Biden committed a diplomatic faux pas by referring to President Moon Jae-in as the prime minister.

On the 21st (local time), President Biden invited President Moon to the White House to hold a Medal of Honor ceremony for retired Army Colonel Ralph Puckett, a hero of the Korean War.

The event was intended to emphasize the South Korea-U.S. alliance ahead of the South Korea-U.S. summit. This was the first time a foreign president attended a Medal of Honor ceremony.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

President Biden's mistake occurred while emphasizing that South Korea has not forgotten the sacrifices of the Korean War and its veterans.

As President Biden guided President Moon to the podium so he could express gratitude to Colonel Puckett, he said, "Those who served with Colonel Puckett have not forgotten his bravery, and by President Moon attending today's event, it shows that Koreans have not forgotten (the hero) either."

U.S. media outlets such as ABC and the New York Post pointed out that President Biden mistakenly referred to President Moon as the prime minister.

The mistake happened only once but stood out as a blemish.

President Biden clearly referred to him as President Moon several times, including at the start of his speech when he said, "President Moon, it is an honor to have you attend today's event."

The day before, President Biden also mistakenly referred to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as president during a speech about the ceasefire between Israel and the armed faction Hamas.

Meanwhile, the two leaders began their summit after the Medal of Honor ceremony. Following the summit, they are scheduled to hold a joint press conference in the White House garden.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.