Lee hosts diplomatic corps at Cheong Wa Dae, urges 'close cooperation' over fried chicken and beer

President Lee Jae Myung invited the diplomatic corps and representatives of international organizations accredited to South Korea to Cheong Wa Dae on Tuesday, calling for international cooperation as his administration enters its second year of what he has described as "practical diplomacy."

Lee hosted more than 160 guests at Nokjiwon garden, including Shapiq Rashadi, dean of the diplomatic corps in Seoul, ambassadors from 112 resident missions, representatives of 18 international organizations, related ministers and the head of the honorary consular corps in South Korea.

It was the first time in seven years that a diplomatic corps event had been held at Nokjiwon. South Korea has held a presidential reception for the diplomatic corps as a regular event since 1998, using the occasion to promote goodwill and seek policy cooperation.

The dinner menu featured seasoned and fried chicken served with beer — a combination Koreans call "chimaek" — along with various charcoal-grilled dishes, fresh kimchi and ssambap, a meal of rice and greens wrapped in leafy vegetables.

In his opening remarks, Lee said South Korea had attended the G7 summit for two consecutive years and was establishing itself as a responsible partner in discussions on major international issues. "We will continue to work closely with the international community on the basis of the shared human values of freedom, peace and prosperity," he said.

He credited the assembled diplomats with enabling the active summit diplomacy his administration had pursued. "I ask that you continue to cooperate closely so that relations between your countries and South Korea can develop further, and so that we can work together to resolve the common challenges facing the international community," Lee said.

He added that the South Korean government would take special care to ensure that diplomats faced no inconvenience in carrying out their activities.

Lee also expressed gratitude to the governments and people of Belgium, the EU, Italy, the Holy See and France for their cooperation in making his recent European tour a success.

Lee led the toast in Korean and invited guests to respond in their own languages.