White House Prepares to Host Korea for their Second State Visit

President Joe Biden participates in a restricted bilateral meeting with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Saturday, May 21, 2022, at the People’s House in Seoul, South Korea (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz).

The First Family of the Republic of Korea will visit the United States, as the President looks forward to hosting his second State Dinner on Wednesday.

Article by Georgia Simon, Associate White House Reporter

WASHINGTON - President Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady Kim Keon of South Korea will visit Washington, D.C., starting on Tuesday, April 25th to celebrate the U.S.-ROK Alliance's 70th anniversary. This alliance is described as being “critical to advancing peace, stability, and prosperity for our two countries, the Indo-Pacific, and around the world,” the White House said in a statement.

“President Biden and President Yoon will highlight the importance and enduring strength of the ironclad U.S.-ROK alliance as well as the United States’ unwavering commitment to the ROK,” the White House said further. “The presidents will discuss our shared resolve to deepen and broaden our political, economic, security, and people-to-people ties.”

The state visit comes at a time of intense stress for the Biden-Harris administration after rumors of a potential reelection campaign announcement, via video, is possibly set for Tuesday. 

STATE VISIT SCHEDULE: 

Starting off their trip on Tuesday, the first families will both visit the Korean War Memorial in the evening. 

The following morning, the official State Arrival Ceremony will be held on the South Lawn of the White House, where President Biden, the First Lady, Vice President Harris and the Second Gentleman, will all be in attendance. 

From there, President Biden and President Yoon will host a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office and later in the day, they will also have a joint press conference in the Rose Garden. 

Then, that evening is the State Dinner, which will be held in the East Room. Both the first and second families will be in attendance, alongside their guests of honor, the First Family of the Republic of Korea. 

STATE DINNER DETAILS: 

On Monday afternoon, First Lady Jill Biden held a preview in preparation for Wednesday’s State Dinner, alongside the White House Social Secretary, Carlos Elizondo and Chef Edward Lee, the guest chef helping to prepare the State meal. 

Throughout different parts of the White House, Korean elements are added for the guests to enjoy on Wednesday. There will be 200 guests in attendance. 

Dr. Biden worked with the firm Fête, by Korean American Jung Lee. Fête is an event and design based company that helped Dr. Biden make arrangements in order to help recognize the alliance. 

Guests will be entertained by Grammy, SAG, Emmy and Tony nominated performer Norm Lewis, multi-award winning actress Lea Salonga as well as the famous singer and actress, Jessica Vosk. 

“The President's Own” United States Marine Band Chamber Orchestra will also be performing alongside the United States Army Band Herald Trumpets. 

Each table in the East Room is set up with a massive centerpiece that consists of cherry stems with pink blossoms that tower six feet over the table. Each table has 10 place settings using the George W. Bush State Service China. 

"From my mother, I learned that setting a table can be an act of love. With just fresh flowers and a set of candles, she could turn an ordinary dinner, into a magical moment that stayed with us long after the dishes were cleared away. Once I had my own family, I did my best to keep that tradition alive," the First Lady said. 

The menu set for dinner includes various American specialties, like Maryland Crab Cakes, Braised Beef Short Ribs, Banana Splits and more. 

When asked about her favorite part of the meal, Dr. Biden responded with “The First. It’s so American-the crab cake. But I love them all. Joe’s favorite will be the last.” 

Chef Lee was asked two-months prior to help make Wednesday’s meal. His cooking can be described as a mixture of Southern US and Korean. He will be working alongside Cristeta Comerford, the White House executive chef, and her helping staff.

The First Lady also added that “When the President and I traveled to the Republic of Korea in the past, we have been welcomed with open arms. And it's my intention to bring much warmth and joy to President Yoon and Mrs. Kim Wednesday evening.”