Lee pledges Korea will do its part in global community at Blue House barbecue dinner with diplomatic corps

President Lee Jae Myung pledged that Korea will do its part to resolve the common challenges facing the international community as he hosted a banquet for members of the diplomatic corps in the country at the Blue House in central Seoul on Tuesday.

Lee addressed envoys from 112 missions in Seoul, including Moroccan Ambassador Chafik Rachadi, dean of the diplomatic corps, and the heads of some 18 international organizations, in a buffet-style barbecue dinner at Nokjiwon, the main garden of the presidential compound, his office said.

Earlier this month, Lee traveled to Belgium, Italy and France, where he attended the Group of Seven (G7) summit, and the dinner was an opportunity for the president to brief the diplomatic corps on the outcome of his 10-day trip, which included a stop at the Vatican to meet with Pope Leo XIV

“The Republic of Korea has attended the G7 summit for two consecutive years and is establishing itself as a responsible partner in the international community," Lee said in his opening remarks to some 160 people. "We will continue to cooperate closely with the international community based on the shared values of humanity: freedom, peace and prosperity."

He recounted that over the past year since he took office, he has met with the leaders of more than 50 countries and held approximately 100 summit meetings and talks.

“I believe that I was able to engage in such active summit diplomacy because everyone present has faithfully and effectively served as a bridge connecting your country with the Republic of Korea,” Lee said, referring to the country by its official name. “I ask that you continue to cooperate closely so that relations between Korea and each country may further develop, and so that we may work together to resolve the common challenges facing our international community.”

Lee also promised to pay special attention to ensure that envoys to Seoul do not face any inconveniences in carrying out their diplomatic activities. He said that while most exchanges go through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he is open to hearing their views directly.

“I think there may be things you wish to convey directly to the presidential office,” Lee said. “I would like to take the opportunity to hear directly from everyone present, within the available time.”

Diplomats seated at the president’s table included those from Morocco, the United States, Japan, the Philippines, New Zealand, Mongolia, China, the European Union, the Holy See and Chile. Michelle Steel, the newly appointed U.S. ambassador to Seoul, has yet to arrive in Seoul, however.

The Blue House said the seating arrangement was made in consideration of the countries and regions visited and hosted by Lee for major summits.

The buffet featured a selection of Korean-style charcoal-grilled meats, chimaek (chicken and beer), fresh kimchi and ssambap (rice wrapped in lettuce), paired with Cass beer on tap. Both plain fried chicken and yangnyeom (seasoned) chicken were offered.

A variety of Korean barbecue dishes were offered, including cast iron-grilled samgyeopsal (pork belly), charcoal-grilled Wagyu beef and LA-style marinated short ribs, lamb chops, king prawns, chicken sausages and a variety of vegetables.

Seasonal ingredients were prepared to accommodate the diverse religions and food cultures of various countries, the Blue House said. Aside from the pork belly, all other ingredients were Halal-certified, and a menu for vegans and vegetarians was also available.

Condiments and sides included barley ssamjang (fermented soybean paste dipping sauce), cucumber peppers seasoned with soybean paste and pickled radishes.

The event was intended to emphasize that “normalcy in communication with the diplomatic corps in Korea has been restored and will to continue substantive exchanges," the Blue House said in a statement, adding that the president was keen on presenting “key directions for the full-scale implementation of pragmatic diplomacy in the second year of his administration” and requesting “continued support and cooperation from each country."

This event marks the first dinner with the diplomatic corps since Lee officially returned the presidential office to the Blue House in December of last year.

He previously invited a group of envoys to Yeongbingwan, the Blue House state guesthouse, for a dinner banquet last August.

This marks the first time in seven years that a dinner for the diplomatic corps was hosted in Nokjiwon.

During the dinner, several ambassadors shared their impressions of Korea’s affinity for emotional connection and noted that the country’s journey of economic growth and democracy resonates deeply with many countries in the international community, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said in a statement afterwards.

“Furthermore, amidst the current global crisis, they highly appreciated that Korea is now a capable nation capable of safeguarding international norms and multilateralism, and leading in contributions to address challenges such as global conflicts, imbalances, supply chains and AI,” Kang said.

“Our government plans to continue communicating closely with the diplomatic corps in Korea to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation and solidarity with each country and the international community.

In an X post late Tuesday, Lee posted photos of the dinner with the ambassadors and wrote, “I asked you to continue striving to ensure that your countries and the Republic of Korea can jointly address common challenges and build a future of mutual growth and prosperity. Our government will also provide full support, both materially and spiritually, to ensure the smooth execution of your diplomatic activities.”

BY SARAH KIM [[email protected]]