President Lee Hosts Foreign Envoys for K-Food Banquet

SEOUL, June 23 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday hosted foreign ambassadors and heads of international organizations stationed in Seoul for a banquet dinner, treating them to iconic "K-food" from Korean-style barbecue to the famous pairing of fried chicken and cold beer.

The dinner at the Nokjiwon garden inside the Cheong Wa Dae compound brought together the envoys and representatives from 112 countries and 18 international bodies, including the United States, Japan and the European Union, the presidential office said.

The dinner was organized as an occasion for Lee to brief the foreign envoys on South Korea's foreign policy and its recent diplomatic outcomes. Lee returned last week from the Group of Seven (G7) advanced nations' summit in France.

"The Republic of Korea participated in the G7 summit for the second consecutive year and is cementing its position as a reliable partner to the international community," Lee told the guests, referring to South Korea by its official name.

"We will continue to work closely with the international community based on the shared values of humankind -- freedom, peace and prosperity," he said.

Lee also thanked the diplomatic corps for their roles as a bridge between South Korea and their home countries, saying he would be willing to hear their thoughts on issues they would like to address.

Moroccan Ambassador to South Korea Chafik Rachadi, who also serves as the dean of the diplomatic corps, toasted to the friendship between South Korea and the international community, Cheong Wa Dae said.

The ambassadors described South Korea's remarkable transformation into an industrialized democracy as an example that resonates with many countries around the world, reaffirming their commitment to further deepening ties with South Korea.

The participants were served a curated menu of Korean culinary staples, from sizzling pork belly, or "samgyeopsal," to the now globally famous "chimaek," the crispy fried chicken and beer combo.

All ingredients of the meal were halal-certified, and options for vegans and vegetarians were also provided, Cheong Wa Dae said.

The dinner banquet reflected the Lee administration's efforts toward practical exchanges with foreign envoys, and to seek each country's continued support for and cooperation with South Korea, it added.

Tuesday's event was the first dinner hosted by Lee since the relocation of the presidential office back to Cheong Wa Dae last December and the second to be held since he took office in June last year.