BTS Visits White House: "Asian Hate Crimes Must End"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] The world-renowned K-pop group BTS visited the White House on the 31st (local time) and met with President Joe Biden.

According to the White House, BTS met with President Biden on the last day of the United States' Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month to discuss 'measures to combat anti-Asian hate crimes.'

Before meeting President Biden, BTS visited the press room and stated, "We were shocked and saddened by the recent many hate crimes targeting Asians," and "We want to take this opportunity to raise our voices to help eradicate such incidents even a little."

They also said, "We have come this far because of the 'ARMY' fans of various nationalities and languages who love our music. It is still amazing that Korean music can reach many people beyond different languages and cultures," adding, "Music, which connects all of this, is truly a wonderful medium."

They emphasized, "Being different from me is not wrong. Equality begins with recognizing differences, not right or wrong." They continued, "We each have our own history," and "We hope this will be another step toward respecting and understanding each other as meaningful individuals."

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

The meeting between BTS and President Biden took place amid a recent surge in racial crimes in the United States, especially hate crimes targeting Asians. According to CNN and the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism, more than 10,000 hate crimes against Asian and Pacific Islanders have occurred from March 19, 2020, until last year. On the 11th, three Korean women were injured in a shooting by a Black man at a beauty salon in Dallas Koreatown, Texas.

Local media have also noted that BTS has consistently raised their voices against anti-Asian hate crimes.

Following the Atlanta hate crime last year, BTS issued a statement saying, "We have memories of being discriminated against just because we are Asian. We have been verbally abused and had our appearances disparaged for no reason while walking down the street," and "Being the target of hate and violence because of a different race is an indescribable pain." BTS leader RM said at a press conference held in Los Angeles last November regarding anti-Asian hate crimes, "If I can raise my voice, I always want to."

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

On this day, RM also expressed his gratitude in English, saying, "I thank President Biden and the White House for giving us the opportunity to talk about important issues together and think about what we can do as artists."

BTS arrived in Washington DC on the 29th and spent their time freely without any special official schedule while preparing for the meeting with President Biden.

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