President Lee Jae-myung is hosting a dinner for all members of the diplomatic corps in Korea at the Blue House's guesthouse, just two months after taking office. This event aims to promote the national interest-centered practical diplomacy of the people's sovereignty government and to create diplomatic consensus for the successful hosting of the Gyeongju APEC summit, which is being held in Korea for the first time in 20 years.
Spokesperson Kang Yu-jeong stated during a briefing on the 15th, "The president will host a dinner tomorrow evening (15th) at the Blue House's guesthouse for the diplomatic envoys and representatives of international organizations residing in Korea."
According to the Presidential Office, this dinner is the first diplomatic event targeting the entire diplomatic corps in Korea. About 170 attendees will gather, including ambassadors from 117 resident missions and representatives from 30 international organizations, as well as the first special envoy appointed by the president, members of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, ministers from relevant departments, and leaders of economic organizations.
The Presidential Office explained that this dinner is to announce that the diplomacy of the people's sovereignty government has returned to its proper path. Hosting an event inviting the entire diplomatic corps just two months after taking office is unprecedented. During the dinner speech, President Lee will urge ambassadors from various countries to serve as bridges for communication between the two countries and explain the national interest-centered practical diplomacy line.
Another purpose of the dinner is to promote the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, which will be held in Gyeongju in November. It has been 20 years since the APEC summit was last held in Korea, in Busan in 2005.
President Lee will introduce the multilateral diplomatic schedule for the second half of the year and ask for cooperation from not only APEC member countries but also from non-member country's diplomatic envoys to ensure the Gyeongju APEC is a successful event. Deputy Minister Kim Jin-a from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will directly explain the APEC preparations, and a session will be arranged to hear the impressions of the ambassadors in Korea.
The event's production also conveyed a message. The banners at the event featured the Ilwollo Bongdo, symbolizing the Blue House, and the 'magpie tiger', representing folk art, to express national dignity and a spirit of caring for the people. The menu demonstrated 'elegance and practicality' by featuring traditional palace meals and popular dishes made from seasonal ingredients sourced from across the country.
Dishes include East Sea scallops with Goheung yuja sauce, Wando abalone, clear soup with Shinan mullet, and Gyeongju lotus leaf tea. Notably, for dessert, 'Hwangnam bread', a specialty of Gyeongju, will be served, and 'Dae Mongja', a Gyeongju traditional liquor, will be selected as the dinner beverage to promote the Gyeongju APEC.