South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol closed out Wednesday’s state dinner by belting out a verse of the traditional music ‘American Pie’ as President Joe Biden admitted he can ‘barely speak’ – let alongside sing.
Biden invited Yoon to take the stage and sing the American traditional, which is Yoon’s favourite music. The American president even gave his South Korean counterpart a guitar signed by Don McLean, who wrote and initially carried out the hit tune.
After Yoon sang the primary verse – to a thunderous standing ovation, Biden, who’s well-known for making verbal gaffes, joked: ‘Do not count on me to sing it! I can barely speak.’
President Biden and first woman Jill Biden wrapped up their dinner for Yoon and his spouse Kim Keon-hee with a collection of broadway classics carried out by Broadway stars Norm Lewis, Lea Salonga and Jessica Vosk.
On the finish of a collection of musical theater classics – together with Completely happy Days are Right here Once more; On My Personal; and Do not Rain on My Parade – the trio of songs gave a efficiency of American Pie
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol closed out Wednesday’s state dinner by belting out a verse of the traditional music ‘American Pie’ as President Joe Biden stood beside him
Yoon clapped alongside and after their efficiency, Jill Biden pushed him up on stage, and President Biden requested him to sing.
‘We all know that is certainly one of your favourite songs, ‘American Pie,’ Biden mentioned to Yoon.
‘Sure, that is true,’ Yoon mentioned by way of a Korean translator. ‘Once I was going to highschool, it was certainly one of my favourite songs.’
‘We wish to hear you sing it,’ Biden mentioned.
‘It has been some time however…’ Yoon replied, earlier than singing the primary few stanzas.
Afterward, Biden informed Yoon: ‘The subsequent state dinner we’ll have you ever’re wanting on the leisure.’ And he informed his South Korean counterpart: ‘I had no rattling thought you might sing.’
Friendship and cooperation have been the theme of Yoon’s go to, which included a brand new army pact to counter the rising nuclear risk to North Korea; an Oval Workplace assembly between the 2 leaders; a proper welcome ceremony on the South Garden; and a go to to the Korean Heat memorial.
On the dinner, held within the East Room of the White Home below the lots of of cherry blossoms adorning the world, Biden toasted their relationship as ‘allies and buddies’ and Yoon described it as an ‘ironclad alliance,’ regardless of leaked paperwork suggesting the U.S. was spying on Seoul.
Among the many friends have been a number of well-known faces – Angelina Jolie and son Maddox, residence enchancment stars Chip and Joanna Gaines and one Congressional Republican – Sen. Mitt Romney, who voted in favor of former President Donald Trump‘s impeachments.
President Biden introduced President Yoon with a guitar signed by Don McLean
Angelina Jolie and her son Maddox benefit from the night’s leisure
President Joe Biden and first woman Jill Biden (proper) greeted south Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol (middle left) and his spouse Kim Keon-hee (left) on the North Portico Wednesday evening for his or her second state dinner of the administration.
U.S. President Joe Biden, Norm Lewis, Lea Salonga and Jessica Vosk react as South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol sings American Pie
For the black-tie affair, Dr. Biden wore a mauve, lengthy sheath night robe by Reem Acra. Kim wore a protracted white skirt, white jacket, and gloves.
As friends entered by way of the Jacqueline Kennedy Rose Backyard, previous a handpainted display depicting a nature scene with American bison and Korean tigers – all expressed their pleasure on the being on the White Home.
However Angelian Jolie performed coy when requested what was subsequent after leaving her longtime put up on the United Nations, merely smiling for the row of cameras.
Eldest son Maddox answered ‘nice’ when requested about Seoul, as he is studied at Yonsei College. A supply near the actress informed DailyMail.com that ‘Angelina has visited South Korea many instances for her humanitarian and refugee advocacy over the previous twenty years, and as an artist. Angelina and Maddox are honored to attend this State Dinner.’
The actress wore a classic Chanel jacket and a costume made for her a few years in the past.
It was additionally a household affair, as Frank Biden, the president’s brother, and Meena Harris, Vice President Kamala Harris’ niece, have been on the visitor listing.
Frank Biden sped by the road of reporters masking the arrival, not stopping when requested how he would help with the president’s reelection bid – which was made official Tuesday.
‘Simply supporting once I can,’ Meena Harris replied when requested what position she would have within the 2024 marketing campaign.
Biden (proper) mentioned the connection with South Korea was with ‘allies and buddies’ as Yoon (left) described it as an ‘ironclad alliance,’ regardless of leaked paperwork suggesting the U.S. was spying on Seoul
President Joe Biden (left) shakes arms with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol (proper) as he and Kim Keon-hee arrive at Wednesday’s state dinner
Angelina Jolie (left) and her son Maddox (proper) enter the state dinner Wednesday evening with South Korea. Jolie performed coy when requested what her subsequent trigger can be after leaving her longtime place on the United Nations
Chip (left) and Joanna Gaines (proper) reply questions from reporters as they enter Wednesday evening’s White Home state dinner with South Korea
The president’s brother Frank Biden (left) and Mindy Award (proper) swiftly walked by reporters who requested
‘Simply supporting once I can,’ mentioned Kamala Harris’ niece Meena Harris (proper) about her aunt’s 2024 reelection announcement, along with her date Nikolas Ajagu (left) as they arrive for Wednesday evening’s State Dinner with South Korea
Olympic snowboarder Chloe Kim dazzled in a smoke-colored robe with giant flowers hooked up to it. ‘I did not put on my medal, I do not know the place it’s,’ Kim confessed to reporters masking the arrivals
Absent from the visitor listing was the president’s son Hunter, who attended the White Home’s first state dinner with France in December, however skipped the arrivals line.
Olympic snowboarder Chloe Kim dazzled in a smoke-colored robe with giant flowers hooked up to it.
‘I did not put on my medal, I do not know the place it’s,’ Kim confessed to reporters masking the arrivals.
Lea Salonga, one of many three Broadway stars tapped to carry out on the dinner, answered ‘Belle. The books,’ when requested what Disney character Dr. Biden can be.
Salonga supplied the voice for each Princess Jasmine and Mulan.
Joanna Gaines laughed and answered ‘oh gosh no,’ when requested if she had any design recommendation for the White Home.
‘White interiors and exteriors is simply her factor,’ Chip Gaines chimed in.
Dr. Biden (proper) wore a mauve, lengthy sheath night robe by Reem Acra
Kim Keon-hee exits her motorcade Wednesday as she arrives on the White Home for the Biden administration’s state dinner with South Korea
Lea Salonga, one of many three Broadway stars tapped to carry out on the dinner, answered ‘Belle. The books,’ when requested what Disney character Dr. Biden can be. Salonga supplied the voice for each Princess Jasmine and Mulan
Jacob Snow (left) and Samantha Cohen (proper), the daughter of former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen, attended the dinner
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (proper) commented that she was ‘shocked’ that she was tapped to be a Biden 2024 marketing campaign co-chair
The couple disregarded a query about Donald Trump holding his first Texas marketing campaign rally of their hometown of Waco.
‘No remark there,’ Chip Gaines mentioned laughing.
Romney informed reporters that he helps Home Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s debt invoice.
‘Completely. He is now laid out an inexpensive proposal. It is time for the White Home to barter. That is the way in which a two-party system works. Which is that they each have to return collectively and work out a compromise. That is what’s gotta be achieved now,’ Romney mentioned.
Whereas McCarthy was on the visitor listing for the primary state dinner, he was omitted on Wednesday.
Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer declined to cease for a chat in regards to the debt ceiling. He additionally did not fairly be a part of the costume code, sporting a navy blue enterprise go well with as a substitute of a tuxedo.
‘That is as tux-y as I get,’ he mentioned.
Plenty of Biden’s prime Democratic supporters have been invited to the dinner together with Sen. Tammy Duckworth, who was named 2024 marketing campaign co-chair this week.
She informed reporters she was ‘shocked’ by the ask however accepted it in a telephone name with the president earlier this week.
Duckworth represents Illinois and Chicago additionally gained the bid for the 2024 Democratic Nationwide Conference.
One other key ally, Sen. Mazie Hirono got here dressed sporting a standard blue and pink hanbok.
‘The entire purpose is to not journey on it,’ Hirono mentioned.
The Bidens (proper), Yoon (middle left) and Kim (left) pose throughout an arrival ceremony Wednesday night on the White Home state dinner with South Korea
Getting up for the toast, Biden remarked how he and Dr. Biden took Yoon and Kim to the Korean Conflict Veterans Memorial on the Nationwide Mall Tuesday evening, their first occasion as a foursome throughout this week’s state go to
Second gentleman Doug Emhoff (left) and Vice President Kamala Harris (middle left) speak with Maddox Jolie-Pitt (middle proper) and Angelina Jolie (proper) at Wednesday’s White Home state dinner
Jolie and the Gainses have been seated on the head desk, in addition to Kim, Romney and departing Amb. Susan Rice, who has been serving because the Director of the Home Coverage Council.
Getting up for the toast, Biden remarked how he and Dr. Biden took Yoon and Kim to the Korean Conflict Veterans Memorial on the Nationwide Mall Tuesday evening, their first occasion as a foursome throughout this week’s state go to.
‘As lots of you already know there’s an engraving that reads, ‘Our nation honors her little kids who answered the decision to defend a rustic they by no means knew and a individuals they by no means met,” Biden recited.
‘It is a solemn reminder that our alliance was born out of not shared borders however want. Shared beliefs – a perception in democracy, liberty, safety and above all, a mutual perception in freedom,’ the president continued.
Biden mentioned that the go to was ‘all about reaffirming all that unites our two nations.’
‘It is a couple of dedication to bear each other’s issues and hear to one another’s goals,’ he continued.
Biden needed to briefly search for a glass to toast with.
‘So please be a part of me – I am in search of one thing to toast with right here,’ he mentioned to laughs.
‘So please be a part of me – to our partnership, to our individuals, to potentialities – and to the way forward for the Republic of Korea and america that we’ll create collectively, perhaps we do it collectively for an additional 170 years,’ the president mentioned.
When it was Yoon’s flip, he knew the way in which to Biden’s coronary heart – by quoting an Irish poet.
However the audienced ‘awwwed’ at one other quote, mentioned by way of an English translator: ‘ good friend is sort of a four-leaf clover, fortunate to search out and good to have.’
‘As we speak will probably be remembered as a historic day the place the ROK-US alliance, like a 4 leaf clover, spreads its new roots, broad past the glory of the previous seventy years,’ Yoon mentioned.
Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer declined to cease for a chat in regards to the debt ceiling. ‘That is as tux-y as I get,’ he additionally mentioned, when a reporter famous that he was sporting his standard enterprise go well with and never a tuxedo
The menu for Wednesday’s dinner was designed by Chef Edward Lee, a Korean-American chef who’s identified for infusing conventional American classics with Korean flavors.
Lee, who has appeared on High Chef and owns eating places in Washington D.C. and New York, created a couple of dozen dishes for Jill Biden and her staff to attempt in an effort to come by the ultimate menu.
‘I wished to take a few of my favourite American meals and simply tinker with it a bit of bit. And that is additionally how I prepare dinner in my eating places – to simply add a bit of little bit of Korean touches to it. The place once more, it is acquainted but surprising, and it is not conventional Korean meals, however it simply provides you a bit of trace of Korean flavors,’ he mentioned.
He mentioned the primary individual he informed about being requested to be visitor chef for the night was his mother, an immigrant from Korea.
‘We have all the time felt this large debt of gratitude to america of America for the alternatives that they’ve had, that I have been capable of have. So to return full circle, and to offer again and have the ability to do that was, you already know, a really proud second for me and in addition for my mother,’ he mentioned.
And as for the recommendation his mother gave him: ‘She simply mentioned do not mess it up.’
When friends entered the East Room, they noticed scenic panorama designs that options a few of the most American symbols – American Bison, the American Bald Eagle, roses, stars – and Korean photographs – the Korean magpie and Korean tiger.
The decorations have been impressed by the Taegeuk, the image within the middle of the Republic of Korea flag, which represents steadiness, concord, and peace, in keeping with the White Home.
And it pays tribute to the 70-year alliance with the Republic of Korea. It contains platinum-colored desk linens and flowers which might be necessary to each nations.
President Joe Biden and first woman Jill Biden welcome South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and his spouse Kim Keon Hee to the White Home
President Joe Biden and first woman Jill Biden (proper) stroll by way of the Korean Conflict Veterans Memorial with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol (middle left) and his spouse Kim Keon-hee (left)
First woman Jill Biden (proper) and the spouse of the Korean president, Kim Keon-hee (left), acquired a non-public tour Wednesday of the Nationwide Gallery of Artwork’s Rothko displays, full with a go to with the late artist’s son
Visitor Chef Edward Lee talks on a cell phone exterior the West Wing of the White Home earlier than the State Dinner on Wednesday evening
However essentially the most dramatic options is the over six-foot tall cherry blossoms that tower over the tables, giving a cover of pink flowers for the friends to dine below.
The desk setting makes use of the china from President George W Bush’s administration. The plate has a gold eagle within the middle. Every serviette has a recent flower blossom on it.
A number of the tables are made out of teal blue plexiglass, which displays the cherry blossoms again to the friends.
The bamboo chairs have a blue masking that evoke conventional sumukhwa (Korean ink brush portray). The designs are branches with peonies, representing prosperity and pleasure, and bamboo parts, representing longevity and power.
Peonies and the primary woman of South Korea’s favourite flowers.
The are smaller vases of flowers as a part of the desk setting: Peonies, Orchids, Cherry Blossoms, and Azaleas (a local Korean flower). All are pink, pink or white. Candles twinkle between the flower preparations.
The leisure portion of the night consists of Broadway stars Norm Lewis, Lea Salonga and Jessica Vosk performing American musical classics.
President Biden and Jill Biden formally welcomed President Yoon and first woman Kim to the White Home on Wednesday morning with an arrival ceremony that included a overview of the troops.
The welcome got here as america despatched nuclear-armed submarines to dock in South Korea for the primary time in 40 years in a present of drive aimed toward deterring North Korean aggression.
It was a part of the ‘Washington declaration’ the 2 leaders introduced: a brand new settlement to strengthen prolonged deterrence, which is a US coverage that makes use of the complete vary of army capabilities to defend its allies.
The deal is aimed toward calming South Korean fears of an assault from its neighbor. The settlement will see Washington and Seoul coordinate extra deeply on nuclear response technique if North Korea assaults the South.
Management of the nuclear weapons will stay in U.S. arms, nonetheless, and no nuclear weapons are being deployed on South Korean shores.
The U.S. and South Korea will even have interaction in joint army workout routines.
In return, South Korea will reaffirm its dedication to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, an settlement signed by a number of main nuclear and non-nuclear powers that pledged their cooperation to stem the unfold of nuclear know-how.
The U.S. president emphasised the shut friendship with South Korea in his remarks.
‘We rejoice the ironclad alliance, shared imaginative and prescient of our future and the deep friendship with america, Republic of Korea and america,’ Biden mentioned.
Provocative actions from North Korea, China’s rising affect within the Indo-Pacific and the current leak of categorised paperwork from the Pentagon topped the agenda when the 2 leaders met within the Oval Workplace.
‘I believe our partnership is able to tackle any challenges,’ Biden mentioned within the Oval Workplace.
Cherry blossoms tower over the tables for the state dinner
First woman Jill Biden (left) and South Korea’s Kim Keon-hee (middle) take within the atrium of the East Constructing of the Nationwide Gallery of Artwork alongside the museum’s first feminine director, Kaywin Feldman (proper)
Wednesday began on a notice of pomp and circumstance with a proper welcome and army overview on the South Garden of the White Home.
Yoon, in his remarks, paid tribute to the 70-year alliance between the 2 nations, and thanked the U.S. for combating within the Korean Conflict: ‘Our alliance is cast in blood as a combat for freedom. It is not a transactional alliance. It is an alliance of values for safeguarding freedom. It is a international alliance for freedom, peace, prosperity.’
Yoon’s go to comes as Washington and Seoul are celebrating 70 years of the US-South Korea alliance.
It started when President Biden and first woman Jill Biden took Yoon and his spouse Kim Keon-hee on a twilight tour of the Korean Conflict Memorial on Tuesday night.
The 2 {couples} met with Judy Wade, the niece of Corporal Luther Story, who was given the Medal of Honor posthumously in 1951 for his valiant actions through the Korean Conflict.
Through the battle of Yongsan in 1950, Story was credited with killing or wounding an estimated 100 enemy troopers and stored members of his unit alive by throwing grenades at an enemy truck stuffed with troopers and an ammunition trailer.
As his firm tried to withdraw, he was wounded and was final seen ‘firing each weapon accessible’ to carry off one other assault, in keeping with his Medal of Honor quotation.
Story was thought of lacking for 73 years till fashionable know-how was capable of determine his stays.
President Biden and President Yoon examine the troops
The {couples} additionally exchanged items.
The Bidens introduced Yoon and Kim with a small desk made by an American furnishings maker from mahogany and historic White Home wooden, which was impressed by conventional Korean soban tables.
A brass plaque marking the state visited will probably be included with the desk, as will a vase stuffed with handmade paper hibiscus and rose flowers, crafted by a Korean-American artist.
Moreover, President Biden gave Yoon a shadow field stuffed with customized and classic baseball memorabilia.
Dr. Biden gave Kim a pendant necklace with a trio of blue sapphires designed by a Korean-American designer.
The go to will capped with a black-tie state dinner on Wednesday evening.
