The Blue House announced on May 17 that Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae will be welcomed with honors equivalent to a state visit ahead of the upcoming South Korea-Japan summit on May 19.
This summit marks the first return visit since President Lee Jae-myung met with Prime Minister Takaichi in Nara Prefecture, Japan, in January, and will take place in Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do, the president's hometown.
Blue House spokesperson Kang Yu-jeong stated, "This visit is significant as it serves as a return gesture for President Lee's visit to Prime Minister Takaichi's hometown in Nara Prefecture in January, and we expect it to further deepen the trust and friendship between the two leaders."
This will be the third meeting between the two leaders, following President Lee's visit to Nara in January and a summit held during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Gyeongju last October.
Prime Minister Takaichi is scheduled to arrive at Daegu Airport on the afternoon of May 19, where he will be greeted by Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Jin-ah before heading to a hotel for a series of meetings.
President Lee will personally welcome Prime Minister Takaichi at the hotel entrance. A traditional honor guard and military band will escort the prime minister's vehicle, and 12 honor guards will be stationed at the hotel entrance to extend state visit-level honors, according to spokesperson Kang.
Following their meeting, the two leaders will hold a joint press conference, followed by a dinner and social event.
The dinner will feature fusion Korean dishes inspired by the traditional recipe book "Suwun Japbang," including Andong Jjimdak, a dish that originated as a chicken dish served to esteemed guests, along with grilled Andong Hanwoo beef ribs, Andong rice, and Sinseollo. This menu reflects the Andong spirit of hospitality, which emphasizes the importance of welcoming friends with sincerity, Kang explained.
To symbolize the friendship and unity between the two nations, the dinner will include traditional Andong liquor, Tesa-ju and Andong Soju, alongside sake from Nara Prefecture, Prime Minister Takaichi's hometown. For dessert, a plate will feature a type of traditional Korean sweet called Jeonyak and the Japanese dessert Mochi.
Kang added, "The dinner will showcase the elegance of Andong's traditions blended with modern sensibilities, in collaboration with Kim Do-eun of 'Rakgojae Suwun Japbang Heritage Dining' and the Westin Chosun. A performance by Korean-Japanese pianist Yang Bang-ean will follow the dinner."
Afterward, the two leaders will travel to Hahoe Village, where a special traditional cultural event, the 'Seonyu Jullbul Nori,' will be held for Prime Minister Takaichi. This event, which takes place annually in the seventh month of the lunar calendar, involves scholars from Hahoe Village enjoying poetry and festivities along the Nakdong River. They will also witness the 'Nakhwa Nori,' where bundles of burning pine branches are dropped from the cliffs of Buyongdae.
Additionally, a creative pansori performance titled 'Like Scattering Sparks,' inspired by the Seonyu Jullbul Nori and featuring verses from a classical Chinese poem, will be presented.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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