Yoon Emphasizes Korea-US Alliance at Dinner with US Senators... First Lady Kim Calls It a "Touching Birthday"

President Yoon Suk-yeol and First Lady Kim Keon-hee are taking a commemorative photo at a dinner hosted on the 2nd at Sangchunjae, the Blue House, inviting U.S. federal senators and their spouses. Attending the dinner were Senators Bill Hagerty, John Thune, Chris Coons, Gary Peters, Dan Sullivan, Eric Schmidt, and Katie Britt with their spouses.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

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President Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife hosted a dinner at the Cheongwadae Sangchunjae on the 2nd, inviting seven U.S. Senators visiting Korea, including Senator Bill Hagerty, and their spouses. They exchanged views on ways to advance the Korea-U.S. alliance.

President Yoon warmly welcomed the bipartisan delegation of senators, recalling the enthusiastic reception from U.S. lawmakers during his state visit to the U.S. last April when he delivered a joint address to both houses of Congress. He emphasized that the Korea-U.S. alliance, which has evolved into a "global comprehensive strategic alliance," is one of the most exemplary and successful alliances in history, expressing gratitude for the bipartisan support from the U.S. Congress for the Korea-U.S. alliance.

He further explained, "Following the 'Washington Declaration' last April, the approval of the 'Korea-U.S. Combined Deterrence and Nuclear Operations Guidelines' this July has established an integrated Korea-U.S. extended deterrence system, elevating the alliance to a bona fide 'nuclear-based alliance.'"

President Yoon requested continued support from the U.S. Congress so that the unprecedentedly strengthened Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation system since the Camp David summit last year can exercise joint leadership in the Indo-Pacific region.

Senator Hagerty, a Republican and leader of the visiting delegation, stated that as a strong supporter of the Korea-U.S. alliance, he is ready to play any necessary role for bilateral relations. Senator Chris Coons, a Democrat, emphasized that in the face of global complex challenges, the unity and solidarity between Korea and the U.S., which share democratic values, are more important than ever.

Additionally, the visiting delegation expressed that they will never forget President Yoon’s impressive speech to the U.S. Congress last April, pledged that the bipartisan support for the Korea-U.S. alliance in the U.S. Congress will remain steadfast, and promised to do their utmost at the congressional level to ensure the continuous development of the Korea-U.S. alliance.

On the 2nd, at a dinner hosted by President Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife at Cheongwadae Sangchunjae, for U.S. Senators and their spouses, Wesley Britt, former American football player and husband of Senator Katie Britt (left), is tasting tteokbokki.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

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The dinner was a couples’ event attended by First Lady Kim Keon-hee and the spouses of the U.S. senators. Senators Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee), John Thune (R-South Dakota), Chris Coons (D-Delaware), Gary Peters (D-Michigan), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Eric Schmitt (R-Missouri), and Katie Britt (R-Alabama), along with their spouses, participated.

The menu was personally selected by First Lady Kim. For the visiting delegation, who showed great interest in Korean food culture, she prepared familiar Korean dishes such as tteokbokki, spicy stir-fried pork (jeyuk bokkeum), kimchi stew (kimchi jjigae), and seafood pancake (haemul pajeon), instead of the traditional royal court cuisine usually served to foreign dignitaries. She introduced the meal as a way to serve popular Korean dishes and expressed her hope that K-food will become more widely known around the world.

Senator Thune remarked, "Tteokbokki was spicy but very impressive," while Senator Hagerty’s spouse exclaimed, "Kimchi stew was the most delicious Korean food I have ever had."

Meanwhile, Senator Britt asked First Lady Kim, who was celebrating her birthday that day, how she spent her birthday. When First Lady Kim replied that the dinner was the most meaningful birthday she had ever had, the attendees applauded. Afterwards, Senator Hagerty’s spouse presented a pre-prepared bouquet of flowers, and at Senator Coons’ suggestion, everyone sang the birthday song together. First Lady Kim responded with gratitude, saying, "This is the most unforgettable and touching birthday of my life."

First Lady Kim Keon-hee, wife of President Yoon Suk-yeol, is receiving a birthday congratulatory bouquet from the spouse of Senator Bill Hagerty at a dinner hosted for the U.S. Senate delegation and their spouses on the 2nd at Sangchunjae, Cheongwadae.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

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