Yoon, Biden toast 'ironclad alliance' at state dinner

President Yoon Suk Yeol and first lady Kim Keon Hee pose with U.S. President Joe Biden and U.S. first lady Jill Biden as they arrive at the White House for a state dinner, Wednesday (local time). Yonhap

Yoon sings 'American Pie' at White House sparking standing ovation

By Jun Ji-hye

President Yoon Suk Yeol and first lady Kim Keon Hee attended a state dinner hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden at the White House on Wednesday night (local time) to celebrate the two nations' 70-year alliance.

The dinner was held in the East Room of the White House on the third day of Yoon's state visit to the United States after the two presidents held a summit and joint press conference earlier in the day.

The two presidents wore black tuxedos and bow ties. Kim wore a white-collared gown and jacket, while Jill Biden was in a lavender-collared dress.

“This visit is about reaffirming all that unites our two nations. It's about a commitment to bear one another's concerns and listen to each other's dreams,” President Biden said at the beginning of the dinner.

“It allows us to overcome every difficulty with great determination. That allows us to move further and faster in space, cyber, technology and all areas that matter most to our future.”

In response, President Yoon said the alliance between the two nations has become stronger thanks to the sacrifices and support of many people over the last 70 years.

“There is an old saying that goes: Friendship is like a four-leaf clover. It is hard to find, but lucky when you have it,” Yoon said, referring to an Irish saying, apparently nodding to Biden's Irish heritage.

Then, Yoon offered a toast to “our ironclad alliance.”

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and U.S. President Joe Biden toast during a state dinner at the White House, Wednesday (local time). Yonhap

During the dinner which lasted for about three hours and 30 minutes, the two first ladies also built up their friendship while talking about various topics such as environment, culture, art and education, according to the presidential office.

Some 200 people including Korean War veterans as well as figures from political, economic and cultural fields attended the dinner to celebrate the two nations' 70-year alliance together.

Korean business leaders who attended the dinner included Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won and Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun and LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo.

Other notable participants included actress Angelina Jolie and her eldest son, Maddox, and former Major League Baseball pitcher Park Chan-ho and his wife as well as Chloe Kim, American snowboarder and two-time Olympic gold medalist who is a second-generation Korean-American.

At the end of the dinner, the presidents and first ladies moved from the East Room to the State Dining Room for the entertainment part of the evening, during which time Broadway stars Norm Lewis, Lea Salonga and Jessica Vosk sang selections from “Les Miserables” and other Broadway musicals.

For his part, Yoon took to the mic and sang a rendition of “American Pie,” one of his favorite songs, sparking a standing ovation and raucous applause from the audience.