Watch: President Biden’s Tweet Highlighting the State Visit
FACT SHEET: Republic of Korea State Visit to the United States
President Biden of the United States welcomed President Yoon of the Republic of Korea (ROK) on April 26, 2023, for a State Visit to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the U.S.-ROK Alliance. The two presidents reaffirmed their ironclad commitment to what has become a global alliance focused on deepening defense and security ties, expanding economic, commercial, and environmental cooperation, increasing digital and technology collaboration—including in the space sector—and broadening development assistance, educational exchanges, and people-to-people ties. This fact sheet provides an overview of political understandings that were affirmed or reaffirmed during the State Visit, as well as plans for further cooperative activities between the United States and the ROK.
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Watch: President Biden Holds a Bilateral Meeting with President Yoon of the Republic of Korea
STATEMENTS
★ Washington Declaration
President Joseph R. Biden of the United States of America and President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea (ROK) met on this 26th day of April, 2023 to mark the 70th anniversary of the U.S.-ROK Alliance. The Alliance between our two nations has been forged in shared sacrifice, fortified by enduring security cooperation, and nourished by our close kinship that has enabled both countries to leverage their diplomatic resources to peaceably achieve crucial, strategic outcomes. What began as a security partnership has grown and expanded into a truly global Alliance that champions democratic principles, enriches economic cooperation, and drives technological advancements. Our Alliance has been tested many times, and in every instance we have risen to the occasion and responded to the changing threats on the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific.
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★ Joint Statement in Commemoration of the U.S.-ROK 70th Anniversary
Today President Joseph R. Biden Jr. of the United States (U.S.) and President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea (ROK) met in Washington to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the U.S.-ROK Alliance. This is the second State Visit of the Biden-Harris Administration. While our two nations are inseparably tied by our deep and unwavering security cooperation—reinforced today by the Presidents’ commitments in the Washington Declaration to develop ever-stronger mutual defense and deterrence—the greatest success of the Alliance is its clear and expanding focus on achieving a secure and brighter future for the American and Korean people. Together, we will increase our comprehensive global cooperation, deepen our robust regional engagement, and broaden our ironclad bilateral ties during the next 70 years of our Alliance to face the 21st century’s most difficult challenges head-on. Guided by our shared commitment to defend universal human rights, freedom, and the rule of law, the United States and the ROK are constructing an Alliance that will provide future generations with a firm foundation upon which to build prosperity and security.
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★ Joint Statement from the Presidents of the U.S. and the ROK on the Identification of Medal of Honor Recipient from Korean War
The United States of America and Republic of Korea are honored to announce that Army Corporal Luther H. Story, of Buena Vista, Georgia, killed during the Korean War and missing for 73 years, has been accounted for.
In late August 1950, U.S. forces in Korea were primarily located along the Pusan Perimeter, a defensive formation around the towns of Pusan and Yeongsan, South Korea, along the eastern shore of the Naktong River. On August 31, members of A and B Companies of the 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division took the brunt of large-scale attack by the North Korean People’s Army. A member of A Company, Corporal Story displayed conspicuous bravery during intense combat on September 1.
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★ Joint Statement of the U.S. and the ROK on Cooperation in Quantum Information Science and Technologies
The following joint statement was released by the Governments of the United States and Republic of Korea on the occasion of a meeting between Dr. Arati Prabhakar, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and Chief Science Advisor to President Biden and Dr. Lee Jong-ho, Minister for Science and Information and Communication Technologies for the Republic of Korea.
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The United States of America and the Republic of Korea, building upon their shared values and strong alliance, intend to pursue cooperation in quantum information science and technology (QIST) for the peace and prosperity of the citizens of both countries.
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Watch: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s address to a joint meeting of Congress
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SPEECHES & REMARKS
★ Remarks by President Biden and President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea in Joint Press Conference
PRESIDENT BIDEN: Well, Mr. President, it’s good to see you again, my friend.
We’ve met several times over the last year. And each time, we have deepened our nations’ partnership and for the benefit, I think, of both our peoples. And today is no exception.
Our nations’ relationship is a — has a been a great success story. The alliance formed in war and has flourished in peace.
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★ Remarks by President Biden and President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea at State Dinner
PRESIDENT BIDEN: Good evening, everyone. Please, have a seat.
Welcome to the White House. Jill and I are honored to have you here tonight to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the alliance between the Republic of Korea and the United States.
And to President Yoon and Mrs. Kim, thank you for making the journey. We’re delighted to have you here.
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★ Remarks by Vice President Harris at a State Department Luncheon for President Yoon Suk Yeol and Mrs. Kim Keon Hee of the Republic of Korea
VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS: Good afternoon, everyone. Good afternoon. Good afternoon.
Thank you, Secretary Blinken, Ms. Evan Ryan, for hosting us here at the State Department. And to the members of Congress who are here including Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, Chairman Menendez — (applause) — and Chairman McCaul, thank you each. (Applause.)
And there are many members of the President’s Cabinet who are here, and I thank you as well, including all of the leaders from the Korean American community and all of those who believe in the importance of strengthening the ties between the United States and South Korea.
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★ Secretary Antony J. Blinken At a State Luncheon in Honor of Republic of Korea President Yoon Suk-Yeol
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Please, take a seat. Thank you. Thank you, everyone. Please take a seat. Good afternoon, and welcome to the State Department. President Yoon, Mrs. Kim, it is a great pleasure to have you here with us today.
Now, some of you may have heard this and actually seen it, but last night President Yoon – (laughter) – brought down the house at the state dinner – (applause) – singing “American Pie.” So, Mr. President, I want you to know we have two great American musical giants with us here today, Herbie Hancock and Diane Reeves. (Applause.) So if you feel moved to deliver another performance – (laughter) – don’t let the music die, Mr. President. (Laughter.)
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★ Remarks by Vice President Harris and ROK President Yoon During a Visit to NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS: Good afternoon. NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, thank you for welcoming us once again and hosting us. Astronaut Jonny Kim, who was here earlier — Jonny, I want to thank you and all of the Korean American NASA experts and all of the experts who work here for the work you do every day.
President Yoon, welcome to the United States. It is good to see you again. I thank you for the warm welcome you showed me when I was in Seoul. And I welcome you, on behalf of the United States, to Goddard, a place of great pride for us as Americans. And the work that is happening here through NASA is always awe-inspiring for me, and I hope you have enjoyed the tour we’ve had today.
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★ Remarks by First Lady Jill Biden at a Media Preview for the State Dinner of the ROK
Welcome everyone! It’s a pleasure to be with you to preview this state dinner.
From my mother, I learned that setting a table can be an act of love. With just fresh flowers and a set of candles, she could turn an ordinary dinner into a magical moment that stayed with us long after the dishes were cleared away. Once I had my own family, I did my best to keep that tradition alive.
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Watch: State Arrival Ceremony
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NEWS & EVENTS
★ Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Meets With President of the Republic of Korea Yoon Suk Yeol
Today, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III welcomed the President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Yoon Suk Yeol to the Pentagon to reaffirm the ironclad U.S. commitment to the U.S.-ROK Alliance and to the defense of the ROK. As the United States and ROK mark the 70th anniversary of the Alliance, both leaders celebrated the two countries’ achievements in maintaining peace on the Korean Peninsula and the Alliance’s contributions to the security of the Indo-Pacific region.
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★ Readout of Vice President Harris’s Engagement with President Yoon on Space Cooperation
Today, Vice President Kamala Harris was joined by President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea (ROK) at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, where they reaffirmed their determination to strengthen U.S.-ROK space cooperation across all sectors – civil, commercial, and national security. They received briefings regarding bilateral cooperation to address the climate crisis as well as space science. Additionally, the Vice President and President Yoon met with Korean-American space experts and discussed their contributions to strengthen the bilateral space partnership.
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