Lee Hyo-jin covers the Bank of Korea, the banking industry and broader financial news. Her previous beats include foreign affairs, North Korea and general reporting on Korean society.
Lee calls for closer cooperation with foreign envoys
President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a dinner reception for foreign diplomats at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of Cheong Wa Dae
By Lee Hyo-jin
President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday expressed his appreciation to foreign envoys and called for their continued cooperation in addressing global challenges.
Speaking at a dinner reception for members of the diplomatic corps held at Cheong Wa Dae, Lee thanked the foreign envoys for helping advance Seoul's relations with their home countries.
"Over the past year, I have met with leaders from more than 50 countries and held around 100 summits and other high-level engagements," Lee said in his welcoming remarks. "Such active summit diplomacy would not have been possible without all of you serving faithfully as bridges between your home countries and Korea."
He added, "I ask for your continued cooperation so that relations between Korea and your countries can grow even stronger and we can work together to address the common challenges facing the international community."
Lee also reaffirmed Korea's commitment to international cooperation, noting that the country has attended the Group of Seven (G7) summit for two consecutive years and is positioning itself as a responsible partner in addressing major global issues.
The reception came just a few days after Lee traveled to France to attend the G7 summit as the leader of an invited nation.
Lee also invited the diplomats to offer a toast in their own languages after he raised a toast in Korean.
According to Cheong Wa Dae, the dinner brought together envoys representing 118 diplomatic missions in Korea and delegates from 30 international organizations.
The reception featured a Korean-style barbecue and "chimaek," or fried chicken and beer. Organizers said all meat except pork belly was prepared according to halal standards in consideration of participants' religious and dietary customs.
At the head table were representatives from Japan, the Philippines, New Zealand, Mongolia, China, the European Union, the Vatican, Chile, the United States, Morocco and South Africa, selected based on Korea's major diplomatic engagements this year and regional representation.