At White House Welcome Ceremony, Yoon: "An Active and Just Ally"... Biden: "A Sacred Relationship"

During his state visit to the United States, President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the 26th (local time), "The ROK-US alliance is a value alliance to protect the universal value of freedom. Therefore, the ROK-US alliance is a just alliance."

On the same day, during his remarks at the official state visit welcoming ceremony held on the South Lawn of the White House, President Yoon mentioned that "the ROK-US alliance is not a transactional relationship where we meet and part according to interests."

President Yoon first referred to his visit the previous day with First Lady Kim Keon-hee and U.S. President Joe Biden to pay respects at the "Korean War Veterans Memorial" in Washington DC, explaining, "Why would they have sacrificed their lives for a country they did not know and a people they had never met? It was precisely to protect freedom."

He then emphasized, "The ROK-US alliance is a blood alliance born from the struggle for freedom." President Yoon also reflected on the significance by saying, "The ROK-US alliance is a global alliance for the world's freedom, peace, and prosperity. It is an alliance moving toward the future and an alliance that takes action."

President Yoon continued, "I have come here to look back on the 70-year history of the alliance and to jointly design its future."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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Earlier, President Biden, in his welcoming remarks, said, "This year marks the 70th anniversary of our alliance," emphasizing, "The ROK-US alliance is an unbreakable relationship built on the courage and sacrifice of our peoples. It is a sacred bond forged by the blood of U.S. and Korean soldiers who fought together to defend freedom."

He added, "Our future is filled with tremendous opportunities and infinite possibilities," and "If our two countries and peoples stand together, there is nothing we cannot achieve."

President Biden also noted, "Over the past 70 years, the ROK-US alliance has grown in strength and capability. The cooperation between our peoples and our mutual commitment have deepened across all aspects of our partnership," stating, "Today, our two economies stand at the forefront of technological advancement," and "The ROK and the U.S. are powerhouses and drivers of innovation."

In particular, he explained, "We stand together against Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine and work for a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Through building secure and resilient supply chains and leading a clean energy economy, we are investing together to ensure that our shared values, which have always made us strong in the past, will also sustain our future."

He then stressed, "Our troops, who are proudly serving together in the Republic of Korea even now, continue to call out today, 'Let's go together.'"

At the official welcoming ceremony, two U.S. military honor guards stood side by side at the White House entrance holding the Taegeukgi and the Stars and Stripes, and a red carpet was laid out on site.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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Following this, the ceremony began with President Biden and the First Lady walking out of the White House to greet President Yoon and the First Lady as they stepped out of their vehicle.

President Yoon wore a sky-blue necktie, First Lady Kim Keon-hee was dressed in a skirt suit, President Biden wore a navy striped necktie, and the First Lady wore a light purple dress.

President Yoon was introduced to U.S. State Department officials by President Biden and shook hands with each of them, and President Biden also shook hands with the Korean delegation. The two leaders then walked together to review the honor guard before returning to the podium.

The two leaders returned to the podium, stood side by side, and delivered their welcoming remarks and responses in turn. After the 30-minute official welcoming ceremony, they entered the White House together. The two leaders are scheduled to hold the ROK-US summit to discuss strengthening extended deterrence, economic and supply chain cooperation, and global issues.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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