Warm welcome awaits Lee in the U.S.

During his seven-day visit to the United States and Japan next week, President Lee Myung-bak will ride a golf cart with U.S. President George W. Bush, the Blue House announced yesterday.
Lee is scheduled to arrive in New York on April 15 to begin his first presidential trip abroad, presidential spokesman Lee Dong-kwan said.
The summit at Camp David with Bush is scheduled to begin on April 18.
Lee will fly to Camp David by helicopter for the two-day summit. Lee and his wife, Kim Yoon-ok, will be greeted by Bush and U.S. First Lady Laura Bush, the Blue House said. They will be taken to their lodge aboard golf carts driven by their U.S. counterparts.
On his first day in New York, Lee will meet with 11 Korean-Americans who have had high achievements in their careers.
The list includes Juju Chang, an award-winning ABC correspondent, and Mayor Jun Choi of Edison, New Jersey.
The next day, Lee will visit the New York Stock Exchange.
“Lee visited the place when he was mayor of Seoul and he was invited to visit there again when he became president,” Lee Dong-kwan said. “He is going to keep that promise.”
The Washington Post newspaper is scheduled to interview Lee on April 17. Donald Graham, the chairman of the newspaper, and eight executives will meet with him.
“It will be the first time for the chairman of The Washington Post to interview a Korean president in the United States,” Lee Dong-kwan said.
On April 20 and 21, Lee will visit Japan, accompanied by two Korean businessmen, Koo Bon-moo, chairman of LG, and Chung Mong-koo, chairman of Hyundai Motors.
Lee will fly to the United States on Korean Air, which was selected after a public bidding process, Lee Dong-kwan said.

By Lee Min-a Staff Reporter [mina@joongang.co.kr]