Osaka Asahi visits South Korea from the 19th to the 20th, heading to Lee Jae-myung's hometown
The South Korean presidential office announced on the 17th that Prime Minister Osaka Asahi will be welcomed with "near-state guest" honors during her visit from the 19th to the 20th. On the 19th, both sides will hold a summit meeting in Andong—the hometown of South Korean President Lee Jae-myung.
During the Japan-South Korea summit held in Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do—the hometown of President Lee Jae-myung—traditional ceremonies, performances, and local specialty dishes will be arranged. At the banquet, in addition to Andong-related cuisine, Andong soju will be served alongside Japanese sake from Prime Minister Osaka Asahi’s hometown, Nara. After the banquet, both leaders will visit Hahoe Village, a traditional Korean village designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where they will enjoy performances of traditional Korean art such as pansori. Both sides hope this visit will serve as an opportunity to elevate bilateral relations to a new stage.
On the 17th, Chief Press Secretary Kang Yu-jung stated in a written briefing: “Prime Minister Osaka Asahi’s visit to South Korea marks the sixth Japan-South Korea summit since the establishment of President Lee Jae-myung’s administration and the second ‘shuttle diplomacy’ of this year. It comes four months after the previous summit held on January 13th in Nara Prefecture, Japan.”
President Lee Jae-myung and his wife visited Japan from January 13th to 14th and traveled to Nara Prefecture, the hometown of Prime Minister Osaka Asahi. On the morning of January 14th (Japan time), Prime Minister Osaka Asahi accompanied visiting South Korean President Lee Jae-myung in touring the World Heritage site of Horyu-ji Temple in Takayama, Nara Prefecture. Horyu-ji is the oldest surviving wooden structure in the world and continues to preserve Buddhist culture transmitted from the Korean Peninsula. The two leaders held a summit meeting in Nara. The South Korean presidential office emphasized: “We expect this visit to become an important opportunity to further strengthen the solid trust and friendship between the two nations’ leaders.”
Chief Press Spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said that Prime Minister Osaka Asahi is scheduled to arrive at Daegu Airport in the afternoon of the 19th. At that time, Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Ji-na, South Korea’s Ambassador to Japan Lee Hee, and Kim Tae-jin, responsible for ceremonial protocol, will meet her upon arrival. She will then proceed to the hotel hosting the limited and expanded summit meetings. President Lee will personally greet Prime Minister Osaka Asahi at the hotel entrance and arrange for a traditional guard of 43 members and a military band of 29 musicians to escort the prime minister’s vehicle. Additionally, 12 flag bearers will line up on either side of the hotel’s main entrance to welcome her. According to Chief Spokesperson Kang, South Korea plans to extend hospitality to Prime Minister Osaka Asahi equivalent to that given to state guests.
Source: sputniknews
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1865517131315338/
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