Presidential Office: "Saudi Arabia's Invitation of Leader's Spouse as State Guest and Accompanying Official Welcome Ceremony Unprecedented"

Presidential Office "Saudi Arabia, Protocol Consideration"

The Presidential Office announced on the 25th (local time) that Saudi Arabia exceptionally treated First Lady Kim Keon-hee with great courtesy during President Yoon Suk-yeol's state visit. First Lady Kim is accompanying President Yoon on his state visits to Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Spokesperson Lee Do-woon said in a local media briefing in Doha, Qatar, that "Saudi Arabia, which was visited before Qatar, treated President Yoon with great courtesy, but also extended many ceremonial courtesies to his spouse, First Lady Kim."

President Yoon Suk-yeol, on a state visit to Saudi Arabia, is walking and conversing with Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at the official welcoming ceremony held at Yamama Palace in Riyadh on the 22nd (local time). First Lady Kim followed behind President Yoon and Crown Prince bin Salman.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

During the official welcoming ceremony held at Yamama Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on the 22nd, First Lady Kim walked alongside President Yoon and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia.

Allowing the spouse of the visiting head of state to accompany the president at an event usually attended only by the two heads of state indicates Saudi Arabia's special courtesy toward First Lady Kim. Spokesperson Lee referred to this as "an exceptional occurrence."

He also stated, "On the first day of the Saudi visit, when visiting the Diriyah historic site, the president and first lady moved along the same route throughout," adding, "This can be seen as a ceremonial consideration for First Lady Kim, according to protocol explanations."

He added, "Although we cannot disclose every detail, Saudi Arabia showed consideration for First Lady Kim at every event."

This explanation from the Presidential Office is interpreted as a rebuttal to the Democratic Party of Korea's criticism regarding photos of First Lady Kim's visit to Saudi Arabia.

Seo Young-kyo, a senior member of the Democratic Party, presented photos of the official welcoming ceremony in Saudi Arabia during the party's morning meeting and criticized, "Why does the Presidential Office keep posting these photos with the Presidential Office logo and placing First Lady Kim in the center?" and "There are ongoing media discussions questioning why a civilian like First Lady Kim is present at this event."

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