President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung had a social gathering on the 12th with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong and his wife, Ngo Phuong Lan, who are on a state visit to Korea, at Cheong Wa Dae's Sangchunjae. This event marked the first official function held at Sangchunjae since the inception of the Lee Jae-myung administration, with the Presidential Office explaining that "hosting a state guest at Sangchunjae is the highest honor."
The leaders of both countries discussed ways to enhance bilateral relations in a cordial atmosphere during the social event following their summit a day earlier, the exchange of cooperation documents, a joint press announcement, and a state dinner.
At the Sangchunjae event that day, performances of traditional musical instruments from both countries were presented. On the Korean side, Joo Yoon-young, a female pansori singer, and musicians showcased the 'Pyeonsudaeyop-Moranheun' using instruments such as geomungo, yanggeum, piri, and janggu, while the Vietnam National Traditional Orchestra responded with a performance of the traditional Vietnamese instrument 'Dan Da.'
After the performance, the leaders of both countries shared a connection by playing the 'Dan Da' themselves. General Secretary Trong explained about the 'Dan Da,' and President Lee noted, "The 'Dan Da' is the sound of nature in its truest sense."
Following that, the leaders and their spouses engaged in tea time and walked in the green garden together. President Lee said, "Korea and Vietnam are inseparable, and let us actively work towards cooperative development in the future." General Secretary Trong responded, "Let us further develop the cooperative relationship between our two countries."
It was reported that the tea time considered the preferences of General Secretary Trong and his wife. First Lady Kim quoted a Vietnamese proverb, saying, "Good tea tastes better when shared with good friends," and added, "I feel even closer as we share tea together." Ngo Phuong Lan expressed her deep gratitude to the President and First Lady, stating that she hopes there will be opportunities to introduce traditional culture when they visit Vietnam. She attracted attention by attending in the hanbok received as a gift from First Lady Kim the day before.
The Presidential Office assessed that the social gathering at Sangchunjae today, following the state dinner the previous day, served as an opportunity to further strengthen the bond and trust between the leaders of both countries.