President expresses gratitude to Korean Americans for bolstering Korea-US alliance

President Lee Jae Myung and first lady Kim Hea Kyung, right, enter a dinner meeting with the Korean diaspora at a hotel in Washington, D.C., Sunday (local time). Yonhap

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Lee Jae Myung began a three-day visit to the United States on Sunday by meeting with Korean American community leaders, underscoring the shifting contours of the bilateral alliance and praising their role in sustaining ties between the two nations.

After arriving from Tokyo at Joint Base Andrews on Sunday afternoon, Lee attended a dinner with community representatives at a Washington hotel, his first official engagement of the visit.

At the meeting, the president emphasized that the U.S.-Korea relationship, which began as a military alliance, has grown into a "future-oriented, comprehensive strategic partnership" encompassing not only economic ties but also technological cooperation. He also expressed his gratitude for diasporic contributions and efforts.

“I would like to take this opportunity to once again express my respect and gratitude to all the members of the Korean diaspora who have passionately contributed, through tireless effort and dedication, to enhancing the status of Koreans and strengthening a prosperous and peaceful U.S.-Korea alliance,” President Lee said.

He encouraged the community by saying, “Your presence, turning countless hardships into opportunities in a foreign land, is a precious beacon for the future of the homeland, and you are a strong bridge connecting Korea and the United States.”

President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a dinner meeting with the Korean diaspora at a hotel in Washington, D.C., Sunday (local time). Yonhap

Lee said he will meet with U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday to discuss how the two nations might respond together to upheavals in the global order and further strengthen their alliance. He emphasized that cooperation now extends beyond security to shipbuilding, defense, nuclear power, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, culture and technology.

“We are embarking on an important journey to open a new path for the 72-year U.S.-Korea alliance. I ask you to join us as we advance the U.S.-Korea relationship into a future-oriented comprehensive strategic alliance,” the Korean president said.

The president also pledged to tackle long-standing concerns of Korean Americans in the United States, including issues around dual citizenship, in remarks that drew applause from attendees.

Among those present at the dinner were Korean American U.S. Congressman Andy Kim, NBC news anchor Eun Yang and Steve Lee, president of the Korean American Association of Washington.