Yoon Invited by Biden for State Visit in Late April... Presidential Office Says "Not an Official Position"

Bloomberg Reports "Currently Being Prepared at the White House"
Presidential Office States "Not an Official U.S. Position"
Both Governments Coordinating Details Such as Timing of State Visit

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan, New York=Special Correspondent Jo Seulgina] U.S. President Joe Biden is reported by U.S. media to plan to invite President Yoon Suk-yeol to a state dinner at the White House at the end of April this year. The presidential office stated that "it is understood that this is not an official position of the U.S. administration," but the possibility is not low. The two governments are coordinating various schedules, including a Korea-U.S. summit, to mark the 70th anniversary of the Korea-U.S. alliance.

Bloomberg News reported on the 15th (local time), citing multiple sources, that preparations for President Yoon's visit and the state dinner are currently underway at the White House. The timing of the visit is planned for the end of April, but the exact date is flexible, the media confirmed.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is shaking hands with U.S. President Joe Biden at a Korea-U.S. summit held last year at a hotel in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

In response, the presidential office explained that it understands this is not an official position of the U.S. administration. As reports predicting the timing and format of President Yoon's visit emerged amid ongoing consultations between the two countries, a cautious stance was taken. However, a state visit in the first half of the year is highly likely. This year marks the historic 70th anniversary of the Korea-U.S. alliance, and from the U.S. side, additional cooperation with South Korea is urgent due to policies to counter China and North Korea's successive provocations.

The main purpose of President Yoon's visit to the U.S. is also to expand the Korea-U.S. alliance. At the summit held in May last year, it was already agreed to elevate the Korea-U.S. alliance to a global comprehensive strategic alliance encompassing security, economy, and technology. At the November summit, both sides agreed to meet again in Washington this year for in-depth discussions on the future development direction of the Korea-U.S. alliance. The core is to realize an 'active alliance.'

Preparations are also underway at the government level, centered on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ministry is accelerating close cooperation with the U.S. in areas including economic security and supply chains under the banner of an 'active alliance.' To resolve issues such as discrimination against Korean-made electric vehicles under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), efforts are being made to strengthen the pro-Korea network within the U.S. Congress. Additionally, following last year, the Korea-U.S. High-Level Extended Deterrence Strategy Committee (EDSCG) meeting will be held again this year to further solidify the cooperation system related to the U.S. extended deterrence provision.

Regarding North Korea, it is expected to reaffirm the firm goal of North Korea's complete denuclearization and that nuclear issues remain a top priority for Korea and the U.S. Cho Hyun-dong, the first vice minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs currently visiting the U.S., held a Korea-U.S. deputy foreign ministerial meeting with Wendy Sherman, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, at the U.S. State Department on the afternoon of the 14th (local time) to discuss this matter. Both sides agreed to encourage thorough implementation of Security Council resolutions by the international community and to continue strengthening efforts to block North Korea's funding through illegal cyber activities. They also agreed to enhance efforts to properly inform the international community about North Korea's human rights violations.

Meanwhile, a state visit is the highest level of courtesy for a head of state visiting a foreign country. It typically includes an official welcoming ceremony with a guard of honor, a state dinner, a farewell ceremony, and an opportunity to address the legislature. The Blair House, the official guesthouse, is provided as accommodation. The last time a South Korean president visited the U.S. as a state guest was former President Lee Myung-bak in 2011.

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