President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden hosted South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife Kim Keon-hee at a state dinner Wednesday where Biden toasted their relationship as ‘allies and friends’ and Yoon described it as an ‘ironclad alliance,’ despite leaked documents suggesting the U.S. was spying on Seoul.
Among the guests were several famous faces – Angelina Jolie and son Maddox, home improvement stars Chip and Joanna Gaines and one Congressional Republican – Sen. Mitt Romney, who voted in favor of former President Donald Trump‘s impeachments.
Dr. Biden wore a mauve, long sheath evening gown by Reem Acra.
Jolie played coy when asked what was next after leaving her longtime post at the United Nations, simply smiling for the row of cameras. Eldest son Maddox answered ‘great’ when asked about Seoul, as he’s studied at Yonsei University.
The actress wore a vintage Chanel jacket and a dress made for her many years ago.
It was also a family affair, as Frank Biden, the president’s brother, and Meena Harris, Vice President Kamala Harris’ niece, were on the guest list.
Frank Biden sped by the line of reporters covering the arrival, not stopping when asked how he would assist with the president’s reelection bid – which was made official Tuesday.
‘Just supporting when I can,’ Meena Harris replied when asked what role she would have in the 2024 campaign.
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden (right) greeted south Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol (center left) and his wife Kim Keon-hee (left) on the North Portico Wednesday night for their second state dinner of the administration.
Biden (right) said the relationship with South Korea was with ‘allies and friends’ as Yoon (left) described it as an ‘ironclad alliance,’ despite leaked documents suggesting the U.S. was spying on Seoul
President Joe Biden (left) shakes hands with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol (right) as he and Kim Keon-hee arrive at Wednesday’s state dinner
Angelina Jolie (left) and her son Maddox (right) enter the state dinner Wednesday night with South Korea. Jolie played coy when asked what her next cause would be after leaving her longtime position at the United Nations
‘Just supporting when I can,’ said Kamala Harris’ niece Meena Harris (right) about her aunt’s 2024 reelection announcement, with her date Nikolas Ajagu (left) as they arrive for Wednesday night’s State Dinner with South Korea
Chip (left) and Joanna Gaines (right) answer questions from reporters as they enter Wednesday night’s White House state dinner with South Korea
Lea Salonga, one of the three Broadway stars tapped to perform at the dinner, answered ‘Belle. The books,’ when asked what Disney character Dr. Biden would be. Salonga provided the voice for both Princess Jasmine and Mulan
Olympic snowboarder Chloe Kim dazzled in a smoke-colored gown with large flowers attached to it. ‘I didn’t wear my medal, I don’t know where it is,’ Kim confessed to reporters covering the arrivals
Absent from the guest list was the president’s son Hunter, who attended the White House’s first state dinner with France in December, but skipped the arrivals line.
Olympic snowboarder Chloe Kim dazzled in a smoke-colored gown with large flowers attached to it.
‘I didn’t wear my medal, I don’t know where it is,’ Kim confessed to reporters covering the arrivals.
Lea Salonga, one of the three Broadway stars tapped to perform at the dinner, answered ‘Belle. The books,’ when asked what Disney character Dr. Biden would be.
Salonga provided the voice for both Princess Jasmine and Mulan.
Joanna Gaines laughed and answered ‘oh gosh no,’ when asked if she had any design advice for the White House.
‘White interiors and exteriors is just her thing,’ Chip Gaines chimed in.
Dr. Biden (right) wore a mauve, long sheath evening gown by Reem Acra
Kim Keon-hee exits her motorcade Wednesday as she arrives at the White House for the Biden administration’s state dinner with South Korea
Jacob Snow (left) and Samantha Cohen (right), the daughter of former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen, attended the dinner
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (right) commented that she was ‘surprised’ that she was tapped to be a Biden 2024 campaign co-chair
The couple brushed off a question about Trump holding his first Texas campaign rally in their hometown of Waco.
‘No comment there,’ Chip Gaines said laughing.
Romney told reporters that he supports House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s debt bill.
‘Absolutely. He’s now laid out a reasonable proposal. It’s time for the White House to negotiate. That’s the way a two-party system works. Which is they both have to come together and work out a compromise. That’s what’s gotta be done now,’ Romney said.
While McCarthy was on the guest list for the first state dinner, he was omitted on Wednesday.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer declined to stop for a chat about the debt ceiling.
‘This is as tux-y as I get,’ he also said, when a reporter noted that he was wearing his usual business suit and not a tuxedo.
A number of Biden’s top Democratic supporters were invited to the dinner including Sen. Tammy Duckworth, who was named 2024 campaign co-chair this week.
She told reporters she was ‘surprised’ by the ask but accepted it in a phone call with the president earlier this week.
Duckworth represents Illinois and Chicago also won the bid for the 2024 Democratic National Convention.
Another key ally, Sen. Mazie Hirono came dressed wearing a traditional blue and pink hanbok.
‘The whole goal is not to trip on it,’ Hirono said.
The Bidens (right), Yoon (center left) and Kim (left) pose during an arrival ceremony Wednesday evening at the White House state dinner with South Korea
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer declined to stop for a chat about the debt ceiling. ‘This is as tux-y as I get,’ he also said, when a reporter noted that he was wearing his usual business suit and not a tuxedo
Guest List for South Korea State Dinner
The White House released the guest list for the 200 people attending the state dinner for the president of South Korea:
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden
President Yoon Suk Yeol and Mrs. Kim Keon Hee
Mr. Michael Arden
The Honorable Lloyd Austin, Secretary of Defense, U.S. Department of Defense & Mrs. Charlene Austin
Mr. Joe Bae & Mrs. Janice Bae
The Honorable Charlie Baker, Former Governor of Massachusetts
The Honorable Stephen K. Benjamin, Senior Advisor to the President for Public Engagement & The Honorable DeAndrea Benjamin
The Honorable Ami Bera, U.S. Representative & Dr. Janine Bera
The Honorable Anthony Bernal, Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor to the First Lady
The Honorable Andy Beshear, Governor of Kentucky & Mrs. Britainy Beshear
Mr. Frank Biden & Ms. Mindy Ward
Mr. Dong-Bin Shin
Mr. Arthur Blank & Ms. Jennifer Hale
The Honorable Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State, U.S. Department of State & The Honorable Evan Ryan, Assistant to the President and Cabinet Secretary
His Excellency Park Bo Gyoon, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism
The Honorable Kurt Campbell, Deputy Assistant to the President and Coordinator for the Indo-Pacific, National Security Council & The Honorable Dr. Lael Brainard, Assistant to the President and Director of the National Economic Council
Dr. Victor Cha, Former National Foreign Policy Advisor & Mrs. Hyun Cha
His Excellency Lee Chang Yang, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy
Mr. Taewon Chey
Mr. David J. Cho
Mr. Walter Cho
The Honorable Judy Chu, U.S. Representative & Mr. Dean Chu
Mr. Euisun Chung
Mr. Kisun Chung
The Honorable Jen O’Malley Dillon, Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff & Mr. Patrick Dillon
The Honorable Michael C. Donilon, Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor to the President & Mrs. Patricia Donilon
The Honorable Tammy Duckworth, U.S. Senator & Mr. Bryan Bowlsbey
Mr. Andrew Emhoff & Dr. Judy Lee
The Honorable Kim Eun Hye, Senior Secretary to the President for Public Relations, Office of the President
The Honorable Jon Finer, Assistant to the President and Principal Deputy National Security Advisor & The Honorable Kate Berner, Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Communications Director
Mr. Byong Joon Kim
Mr. Hyun Joon Cho
Mr. Marcus Freeman & Mrs. Chong Freeman
Mrs. Joanna Gaines & Mr. Chip Gaines
The Honorable Suzy George, Chief of Staff, U.S. Department of State & Mr. Nate Tibbits
The Honorable Ralph James Gessner Jr., Chairman, Mohegan Tribe & Mr. Charles F. Bunnell
The Honorable Rufus Gifford, Chief of Protocol of the United States, U.S. Department of State
The Honorable Philip S. Goldberg, Ambassador of the United States to the Republic of Korea
The Honorable Dr. Philip Gordon, Assistant to the President and National Security Advisor to the Vice President & Mrs. Rachel Gordon
The Honorable Avril Haines, Director of National Intelligence & Mr. David Davighi
The Honorable Kamala Harris, Vice President of the United States & Mr. Douglas Emhoff
Ms. Meena Harris & Mr. Nikolas Ajagu
The Honorable Mazie Hirono, U.S. Senator & Mr. John Yang
The Honorable Joo Ho Young, Floor Leader of the People Power Party
Mrs. Chrisette Hudlin & Mr. Reginald Hudlin
His Excellency Cho Hyundong, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the United States & Ms. Kim Soyeon
The Honorable Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President and Press Secretary
The Honorable Jeong Jeomsig, Member of the National Assembly
His Excellency Park Jin, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Ms. Min Jin Lee & Mr. Christopher A. Duffy
Ms. Angelina Jolie & Mr. Maddox Jolie-Pitt
His Excellency Lee Jong Ho, Minister of Science and ICT
Mr. Kim Junpyo, Director-General for North American Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Honorable Edgard Kagan, Senior Director for East Asia and Oceania, National Security Council & Ms. Cynthia L. Gire
Ms. Yongmee Michele Kang
The Honorable Andrew Kim, U.S. Representative & Mrs. Jae Kim
Ms. Chloe Kim & Ms. Jeanne Yang
Mr. Dongkwan Kim
The Honorable Young Kim, U.S. Representative & Mr. Charles Kim
Mr. Christopher Koo
The Honorable Daniel Kritenbrink, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, U.S. Department of State & Mrs. Nami Kritenbrink
His Excellency Choo Kyungho, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance
Mr. Sohn Kyung-Shik
The Honorable Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President and Director of Communications
The Honorable Mitchell Landrieu, Senior Advisor and Infrastructure Implementation Coordinator & Ms. Grace Landrieu
Mr. Jay-Hyun Lee
Ms. Jung Lee
Mr. Norm Lewis
The Honorable Ted Lieu, U.S. Representative & Mrs. Betty Lieu
Mr. George Marcus & Mrs. Judy Marcus
General Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff & Mrs. Hollyanne Milley
Ms. Sarah Min & Mr. Matt Pincus
Ms. Seung Min Kim & Ms. Mi Ryung Chang
His Excellency Park Min Shik, Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs
Mr. Kwang Mo Koo
Mrs. Janet Murguia & Mr. Mauro A. Morales
The Honorable Phil Murphy, Governor of New Jersey & Mrs. Tammy Murphy
Mr. Ki Mun Kim
The Honorable Ron Nirenberg, Mayor of San Antonio, Texas & Ms. Erika Prosper
The Honorable Victoria Nuland, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, U.S. Department of State & Dr. Robert Kagan
Mr. Carl Page & Mrs. Barbara Kay Page
Mr. Chan Ho Park & Mrs. Rie Park
The Honorable Penny Pritzker, Former Secretary of Commerce, & Ms. Vivian Riefberg
The Honorable Michael S. Purzycki, Mayor of Wilmington, Delaware & Mrs. Elizabeth J. Purzycki
The Honorable Natalie Quillian, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff & Mr. Ryan Quillian
The Honorable Gina Raimondo, Secretary of Commerce, U.S. Department of Commerce & Mr. Andy Moffit
The Honorable Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff & Ms. Bonnie LePard
The Honorable Steve Ricchetti, Assistant to the President and Counselor to the President & Mrs. Amy Ricchetti
The Honorable Susan Rice, Assistant to the President and Director of the Domestic Policy Council & Mr. Ian Cameron
The Honorable Julie Chávez Rodríguez, Assistant to the President, Senior Advisor to the President and Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs & Mr. Aqeela Sherrills
The Honorable Mitt Romney, U.S. Senator & Mrs. Ann Romney
Mr. Jin Roy Ryu
Dr. Choi Sang Mok, Senior Secretary to the President for Economic Affairs, Office of the President
Ms. Lea Salonga
The Honorable Chuck Schumer, U.S. Senator
The Honorable Phil Scott, Governor of Vermont & Mrs. Marian DuBois
Mrs. Beth Shaw & Dr. David E. Shaw
The Honorable Dr. Liz Sherwood-Randall, Assistant to the President and Homeland Security Advisor and Deputy National Security Advisor
Mr. Jin Shik Choi
Mr. William Singer & Ms. JoAnna Cicchelli
Mr. Jacob Snow & Ms. Samantha Cohen
The Honorable Gene Sperling, White House American Rescue Plan Coordinator and Senior Advisor to the President
The Honorable Michelle Steel, U.S. Representative & Ms. Siobhan Steel
The Honorable Marilyn Strickland, U.S. Representative & Mr. Patrick J. Erwin
The Honorable Jake Sullivan, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs and Ms. Maggie Goodlander
The Honorable Park Sung Min, Member of the National Assembly
The Honorable Kim Tae Ho, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, National Assembly
Dr. Kim Tae Hyo, First Deputy Director of National Security, Office of the President
The Honorable Lee Choongmyon, Secretary to the President for Foreign Affairs, Office of the President
The Honorable Kim Taejin, Chief of Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Honorable Cho Taeyong, Director of National Security, Office of the President
The Honorable Katherine Tai, U.S. Trade Representative & Mr. Robert Skidmore
The Honorable Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Representative of the United States to the United Nations
The Honorable Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President and Director of Oval Office Operations
The Honorable Richard Verma, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, U.S. Department of State & Mrs. Melineh Verma
The Honorable Lorraine Voles, Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff to the Vice President & Mr. Dan Smith
Ms. Jessica Vosk
The Honorable Victoria Woodards, Mayor of Tacoma, Washington & Mr. Scott Breckenridge
Ms. Eun Yang & Mr. Robert Kang
Mr. Jae Yong Lee
Mr. Gideon Yu & Mrs. Susie Min Yu
The Honorable Jeff Zients, Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff to the President & Mrs. Deborah Zients
The menu for Wednesday’s dinner was designed by Chef Edward Lee, a Korean-American chef who’s known for infusing traditional American classics with Korean flavors.
Lee, who has appeared on Top Chef and owns restaurants in Washington D.C. and New York, created about a dozen dishes for Jill Biden and her team to try in order to come by the final menu.
‘I wanted to take some of my favorite American foods and just tinker with it a little bit. And this is also how I cook in my restaurants – to just add a little bit of Korean touches to it. Where again, it’s familiar yet unexpected, and it’s not traditional Korean food, but it just gives you a little hint of Korean flavors,’ he said.
He said the first person he told about being asked to be guest chef for the evening was his mom, an immigrant from Korea.
‘We’ve always felt this huge debt of gratitude to the United States of America for the opportunities that they’ve had, that I’ve been able to have. So to come full circle, and to give back and be able to do this was, you know, a very proud moment for me and also for my mom,’ he said.
And as for the advice his mom gave him: ‘She just said don’t mess it up.’
When guests entered the East Room, they saw scenic landscape designs that features some of the most American symbols – American Bison, the American Bald Eagle, roses, stars – and Korean images – the Korean magpie and Korean tiger.
The decorations were inspired by the Taegeuk, the symbol in the center of the Republic of Korea flag, which represents balance, harmony, and peace, according to the White House.
And it pays tribute to the 70-year alliance with the Republic of Korea. It includes platinum-colored table linens and flowers that are important to both countries.
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden welcome South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee to the White House
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden (right) walk through the Korean War Veterans Memorial with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol (center left) and his wife Kim Keon-hee (left)
First lady Jill Biden (right) and the wife of the Korean president, Kim Keon-hee (left), received a private tour Wednesday of the National Gallery of Art’s Rothko exhibits, complete with a visit with the late artist’s son
Guest Chef Edward Lee talks on a mobile phone outside the West Wing of the White House before the State Dinner on Wednesday night
But the most dramatic features is the over six-foot tall cherry blossoms that tower over the tables, giving a canopy of pink flowers for the guests to dine under.
The table setting uses the china from President George W Bush’s administration. The plate has a gold eagle in the center. Each napkin has a fresh flower blossom on it.
Menu for South Korea state dinner
First Course
Maryland Crab Cake
Cabbage, Kohlrabi, Fennel, and Cucumber Slaw
Gochujang Vinaigrette
Yellow Squash Soup Cured Strawberries, Perilla Leaf Oil
Ferdinand Albariño ‘Vista Luna Vineyard’ 2020
Main Course
Braised Beef Short Ribs
Butter Bean Grits, Sorghum-Glazed Carrots, Pine Nuts
Januik Merlot ‘Red Mountain’ 2020
Dessert
Banana Split Lemon Bar Ice Cream, Fresh Berries, Mint
Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs 2019
Some of the tables are made out of teal blue plexiglass, which reflects the cherry blossoms back to the guests.
The bamboo chairs have a blue covering that evoke traditional sumukhwa (Korean ink brush painting). The designs are branches with peonies, representing prosperity and joy, and bamboo elements, representing longevity and strength.
Peonies and the first lady of South Korea’s favorite flowers.
The are smaller vases of flowers as part of the table setting: Peonies, Orchids, Cherry Blossoms, and Azaleas (a native Korean flower). All are pink, red or white. Candles twinkle between the flower arrangements.
The entertainment portion of the evening 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 lady Kim to the White House on Wednesday morning with an arrival ceremony that included a review of the troops.
The welcome came as the United States sent nuclear-armed submarines to dock in South Korea for the first time in 40 years in a show of force aimed at deterring North Korean aggression.
It was part of the ‘Washington declaration’ the two leaders announced: a new agreement to strengthen extended deterrence, which is a US policy that uses the full range of military capabilities to defend its allies.
The deal is aimed at calming South Korean fears of an attack from its neighbor. The agreement will see Washington and Seoul coordinate more deeply on nuclear response strategy if North Korea attacks the South.
Control of the nuclear weapons will remain in U.S. hands, however, and no nuclear weapons are being deployed on South Korean shores.
The U.S. and South Korea will also engage in joint military exercises.
In return, South Korea will reaffirm its commitment to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, an agreement signed by several major nuclear and non-nuclear powers that pledged their cooperation to stem the spread of nuclear technology.
The U.S. president emphasized the close friendship with South Korea in his remarks.
‘We celebrate the ironclad alliance, shared vision of our future and the deep friendship with the United States, Republic of Korea and the United States,’ Biden said.
Provocative actions from North Korea, China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific and the recent leak of classified documents from the Pentagon topped the agenda when the two leaders met in the Oval Office.
‘I think our partnership is ready to take on any challenges,’ Biden said in the Oval Office.
Cherry blossoms tower over the tables for the state dinner
The three courses for the state dinner (from left). First course: Maryland Crab Cake Cabbage, Kohlrabi, Fennel, and Cucumber Slaw Gochujang Vinaigrette Yellow Squash Soup Cured Strawberries, Perilla Leaf Oil; Second course: Braised Beef Short Ribs Butter Bean Grits, Sorghum-Glazed Carrots, Pine Nuts; Third course: Banana Split Lemon Bar Ice Cream, Fresh Berries, Mint
First lady Jill Biden (left) and South Korea’s Kim Keon-hee (center) take in the atrium of the East Building of the National Gallery of Art alongside the museum’s first female director, Kaywin Feldman (right)
Wednesday started on a note of pomp and circumstance with a formal welcome and military review on the South Lawn of the White House.
Yoon, in his remarks, paid tribute to the 70-year alliance between the two nations, and thanked the U.S. for fighting in the Korean War: ‘Our alliance is forged in blood as a fight for freedom. It’s not a transactional alliance. It’s an alliance of values for safeguarding freedom. It’s a global alliance for freedom, peace, prosperity.’
Yoon’s visit comes as Washington and Seoul are celebrating 70 years of the US-South Korea alliance.
It began when President Biden and first lady Jill Biden took Yoon and his wife Kim Keon-hee on a twilight tour of the Korean War Memorial on Tuesday evening.
The two 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 during the Korean War.
During the battle of Yongsan in 1950, Story was credited with killing or wounding an estimated 100 enemy soldiers and kept members of his unit alive by throwing grenades at an enemy truck filled with soldiers and an ammunition trailer.
As his company tried to withdraw, he was wounded and was last seen ‘firing every weapon available’ to hold off another attack, according to his Medal of Honor citation.
Story was considered missing for 73 years until modern technology was able to identify his remains.
President Biden and President Yoon inspect the troops
The couples also exchanged gifts.
The Bidens presented Yoon and Kim with a small table made by an American furniture maker from mahogany and historical White House wood, which was inspired by traditional Korean soban tables.
A brass plaque marking the state visited will be included with the table, as will a vase filled with handmade paper hibiscus and rose flowers, crafted by a Korean-American artist.
Additionally, President Biden gave Yoon a shadow box filled with custom and vintage baseball memorabilia.
Dr. Biden gave Kim a pendant necklace with a trio of blue sapphires designed by a Korean-American designer.
The visit will capped with a black-tie state dinner on Wednesday night.
