US Senators Feast on Korean Favorites at Blue House Dinner Hosted by President Yoon

As South Korea’s presidential office announced on Tuesday, President Yoon Suk Yeol hosted a dinner at the Blue House’s Sangchunjae for seven US senators, including Bill Hagerty.

During the dinner, Yoon expressed his gratitude for the bipartisan delegation’s visit, recalling the warm welcome from the senators during his state visit to the US last April when he addressed a joint session of Congress. He highlighted the strength of the ROK-U.S. alliance, which has evolved into a “Global Comprehensive Strategic Alliance,” and praised it as one of history’s most exemplary and successful alliances. He also thanked the US Congress for its bipartisan support.

Yoon noted that since the Washington Declaration in April and the approval of the ROK-U.S. Korea Peninsula Nuclear Deterrence Operations Guidelines in July, the two nations have established a unified deterrence system, transforming the ROK-U.S. alliance into a nuclear-based alliance. He urged the visiting senators to continue their strong support for this alliance.

He also emphasized the importance of the ROK-U.S.-Japan cooperation system, which has strengthened significantly since last year’s Camp David summit. He called for the continued support of the US Congress to lead in the Indo-Pacific region.

Leading the delegation, Republican Senator Bill Hagerty affirmed his strong support for the ROK-U.S. alliance, stating that he is willing to play any necessary role in the relationship between the two countries. Democratic Senator Chris Coons added that, in the face of global challenges, the bond and solidarity between their democracies are more critical than ever.

Instead of the traditional royal court cuisine typically served to foreign guests, the dinner featured dishes like tteokbokki, spicy stir-fried pork, kimchi stew, and seafood pancakes. The presidential office noted that First Lady Kim Keon Hee personally chose the menu for the visiting senators, knowing the senators had a strong interest in Korean food culture. Senator Hagerty’s spouse also presented a pre-arranged bouquet for Ms Kim’s birthday, which coincided with the dinner.