President Yoon will be first Korean leader to address U.S. Congress in a decade

Diplomacy

Published: 07 Apr. 2023, 17:06 Updated: 07 Apr. 2023, 17:58

President Yoon will be first Korean leader to address U.S. Congress in a decade

President Yoon Suk Yeol, center left, holds a meeting with a U.S. congressional delegation at the Yongsan presidential office in central Seoul on Wednesday. [PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE]

President Yoon Suk Yeol will become the first Korean leader to make an address to a joint session of Congress in nearly a decade on April 27, which U.S. lawmakers see as an occasion to highlight the two countries' shared commitment to democracy, economic prosperity and global peace.

A formal invitation asking Yoon to address a joint meeting of the Congress on behalf of the bipartisan leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate was made public on Thursday by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

"With this year marking the 70th anniversary of the alliance between our two countries, it is an especially important time to reflect on the achievements of our partnership and to reaffirm our shared commitment to democracy, economic prosperity, and global peace," read the letter.

The letter was signed by McCarthy, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. It is rare for the so-called "big four" congressional leaders to co-sign such an invitation.

"Your leadership has been instrumental in strengthening this partnership, and we believe the Joint Meeting would provide an ideal platform for you to share your vision for the future of the U.S.- Korea alliance and to highlight the progress that has been made in recent years," it continued.

Yoon, accompanied by first lady Kim Keon-hee, will kick off a state visit to the United States later this month for a bilateral summit with U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House in Washington on April 26, in a trip meant to highlight the Korea-U.S. alliance forged from the signing of their Mutual Defense Treaty in 1953.

The U.S. president and first lady Jill Biden will host Yoon and Kim for a state dinner. Yoon will be Biden's second state guest since he took office in 2021, after French President Emmanuel Macron was invited last December.

The next day, Yoon will make an address to the Congress, making him the first Korean president to do so since Park Geun-hye in May 2013.

"We would be honored to host you at this historic event," the congressional leaders wrote, thanking Yoon for his leadership and commitment to "reinforcing the bonds between our two great nations," adding they look forward to welcoming him to the United States soon.

On Wednesday, Yoon met with a delegation of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, led by committee chairman Rep. Michael McCaul, a Republican of Texas, and U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff, a Democrat of Georgia leading a separate trip, at the Yongsan presidential office in Seoul.

The U.S. lawmakers extended an invitation for Yoon to speak to Congress during this meeting, and the president replied he would be "delighted" to have the opportunity to give a "historic" address to mark the 70th anniversary of the alliance.

It is rare for a congressional delegation to extend an invitation like this in person, said a presidential official regarding the meeting.

A letter signed by the “big four” leaders of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives inviting Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to give an address at a joint session of the Congress on April 27 is revealed by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on his website on Thursday. [YONHAP]

On Friday, Seoul's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that President Yoon received the official invitation letter to address the joint session of Congress on Thursday through the U.S. Embassy in Korea.

"The address at the joint meeting of Congress is expected to provide a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the historical achievements of 70 years of the history of the Korea-U.S. alliance, considered the most successful case in the history of alliances, and to present a vision for its future," said the ministry in a statement.

Six Korean presidents have given a speech at Congress in the past, including Kim Young-sam in 1995, Kim Dae-jung in 1998 and Lee Myung-bak in 2011.

These three leaders, along with Park, received invitations signed by the House speaker.

The Foreign Ministry said that Yoon's invitation letter signed by all four major congressional leaders "reflects the bipartisan and unwavering support of the U.S. Congress for the first state visit to the United States by a Korean leader in 12 years."

In his congressional address, Yoon is expected to reflect on the significance of the 70th anniversary of the Korea-U.S. alliance and emphasize solidarity among countries that share universal values. He may also discuss strengthening deterrence against North Korea's nuclear and missile threats.

Yoon is reviewing giving his speech in English, according to officials.

Four of the six Korean presidents who previously addressed the U.S. Congress gave their speeches in English, including Park who gave a 30-minute address and proposed an initiative for peace and cooperation in Northeast Asia as the two countries marked the 60th anniversary of the alliance.

Yoon has previously given short prerecorded speeches in English, including at the Biden-led Summit for Democracy last week, which South Korea was a co-host of, and a recent video message support Busan's bid for the 2030 World Expo.

In a Twitter message to McCarthy on Friday afternoon, Yoon wrote it is "a great pleasure and honor" to be invited to address the U.S. Congress.

"Looking forward to speaking about the strong bond that binds our two great nations together," he added. "Alliance in Action Towards the Future!"

President Yoon Suk Yeol, center, poses for a photo with members of a U.S. congressional delegation at the presidential office in Yonsan, central Seoul on Thursday. [PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE]

Yoon will be accompanied by a parliamentary delegation on his upcoming trip to the United States, Kim Eun-hye, senior presidential secretary for press affairs, told reporters on Thursday.

A senior presidential official said that the National Assembly delegation is expecting to include opposing Democratic Party lawmakers as well.

Yoon is also expected to be accompanied by a large-scale business delegation, which could include leaders of Korea's major conglomerations with strong ties with the United States.

Their role will be important as economic security amid the global supply chain crisis will be an important issue during Yoon's visit.

On Friday, Yoon tapped First Vice Foreign Minister Cho Hyun-dong as the new Korean ambassador to the United States.

He replaces Cho Tae-yong, who was appointed as new national security adviser after Kim Sung-han's sudden resignation last week over alleged communication issues related to arranging the state visit to the United States.

Yoon also named Ambassador to Russia Chang Ho-jin as new first vice foreign minister, said the presidential office Friday.