Lee Invites Diplomatic Corps to Blue House... Chimaek and Cast Iron Lid Pork Belly Served at Dinner

Ambassadors from 118 Countries and Representatives from 30 International Organizations Attend
Lee: "Summit Diplomacy Possible Thanks to Your Bridge-Building Roles"
All Ingredients Halal-Certified Except Pork Belly... Vegan Options Also Available

On June 23, President Lee Jae-myung invited the diplomatic corps in Korea to Nokjiwon at the Blue House to share the achievements of Korea's diplomacy. The dinner menu featured chimaek (fried chicken and beer), as well as grilled pork belly cooked on a cast iron lid.

President Lee Jae-myung. Yonhap News Agency.

The event was attended by Shafik Rachadi, the Moroccan Ambassador to Korea and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, as well as ambassadors from 118 resident embassies and representatives from 30 international organizations. At the head table were representatives from Morocco, the United States, Japan, the Philippines, New Zealand, Mongolia, China, the European Union (EU), the Holy See, and Chile. The Blue House explained that the seating reflected key countries and regions from this year's major summit visits and hosts, as well as regional representation.

In his welcoming remarks, President Lee stated, "The Republic of Korea has attended the G7 (Group of Seven) summit for two consecutive years and is establishing itself as a responsible partner in the international community," adding, "We will continue to work closely with the global community based on the universal values of freedom, peace, and prosperity." He went on to say, "The reason we have been able to conduct such active summit diplomacy is thanks to your dedication in serving as bridges between your home countries and Korea."

President Lee also noted, "I'm sure you have many things you wish to say to the Korean government, and perhaps even some matters you would like to address directly to the presidential office," adding with a smile, "By the way, I surprisingly have a lot of free time." He further proposed, "I will give a toast in Korean, and I invite all of you to join in with toasts in your own languages."

The dinner was served buffet-style and included Korean-style charcoal-grilled dishes, chimaek, fresh kimchi salad, and ssambap (rice with leafy vegetables), with Cass draft beer provided. The Korean-style charcoal-grilled dishes included cast iron lid pork belly, charcoal-grilled wagyu beef and LA-style marinated short ribs, lamb chops, jumbo shrimp, and chicken sausage. All ingredients except pork belly were halal-certified, and there were also menu options available for vegans and other vegetarians.

The Blue House stated, "We are publicly announcing the full restoration of normal communication with the diplomatic corps in Korea and will continue to foster substantive exchanges," adding, "We will present the core direction for a more pragmatic diplomacy in the second year of this administration and ask for the continued support and cooperation of all countries."

This event was President Lee's first dinner with the diplomatic corps since his official return to the Blue House in December last year. Prior to his return, in August of last year, he had also hosted a dinner for the diplomatic corps at the Blue House's State Guest House.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.