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S. Korea's President Lee Myung Bak Gives On September 22, 2011, Seattle Washington State Communities gathered at the Westin Hotel, Grand Ballroom, 1900 5th Avenue, Seattle, Wa and Republic of Korea, President Lee Myung Bak and the first lady, Kim Yun Ok received warm welcome by the 300 Korean American Community Leaders which was expressed warm welcome remarks by Lee Kang Sul, Korean American Association of Seattle and Oh Jun Gul, NW KA Unification Association President, on behalf of 170,000 KA Washingtonians which followed with the beautiful entertainment Arirang Song by Korean Traditional famous Pansori singer, as a traditional Korean narrative song singer, Kwon Da Yong and Song by the Korean American Music Association in Washington State. President Lee mentioned that Washington State is the most beautiful and able to breathe with the fresh air and clean environment which he appreciates very much. In addition, the communities are bonded in ethical manner and united strong which he can related stronger relationship between United State of America and Korea relationship. All of these, can be related to see the economic recovery in currently in KORUS FTA issue which is the most critical concern and will be able to see the communities and law makers Congress working together. President Lee is confident that U.S and Korea economic will be far better than current situation when the KORUS FTA is ratified by the congress including the farmers, Technicians, Education, Cars, Airplanes, manufactures, etc… which export and import will be increased by far more with all of these, the jobs will be able to creating and will be able to support the economic crisis. President Lee is hoping to see complete the FTA issues to be resolved and would like to see Win-win situation as soon as possible like the community leaders and the business leaders are hoping for both countries. On behalf of more than 60,000 Korean Americans in Washington State, in addition, foreign students and business men and women 80,000 Korean immigrants among the140,000 immigrants, truely, Washington Korean American Communities gave warm welcome for ROK President Lee Myoung Bak.
President Lee addressed that he asked Governor Chris Gregoire to visit to South Korea as soon as the FTA issues are resolved which he appreciates so much for community leaders effort and hard work in order to ratify the KORUS FTA issues by the law makers, congress: Senate and House of Representatives. |
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On September 20th, 2011, Republic Of Korea Consul General, Song Yong An announced that ROK President Lee Myong Bak will meeting Washington State Governor Chris Gregoire and Microsoft Chairman, Bill Gates during President Bak’s visit to Seattle.
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September 20th, 2011: Consul General, Song Yong An announces to KA media that ROK President Lee Myong Bak will meeting Washington State Governor Chris Gregoire and Microsoft Chairman, Bill Gates during President Bak’s visit to Seattle. Photo by Sandra Englund |
Consul General Song Yong An was proud to say that President Lee Myong Bak is well familiar about the Washington State communities that they are putting the greatest effort to pass the FTA and enthusiastic which President also is familiar that Washington State is very important to connecting the global economic. In addition the most beautiful and paradise with fresh air environment which reminds to all of us that October 2007, President Lee Myung Bak was chosen as a 'Hero of the Environment' in Time magazine along with former U.S. vice president, Al Gore.
Consul General Song Yong An also stated that there will be about 7000 job will be created in Washington State while at least over 70,000 jobs will be created in United States although it is expected 350,000 jobs will be creating jobs including South Korea which will be able to support the economic recover during the critical situation.
The announcement was giving after the meeting with Korean American Chamber of Commerce, president Susan Lee and KACCWA board members delivered the 3,255 request letters to Congress which is requesting to ratify and pass the Korea US Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA).KACCWA President, Susan Lee and Board Chair Hong Yun Sun delivered the more than 3,000 requesting to Congress letters two weeks ago which combined total about 6,287 letters although more than 7,000 petition signature have received from the KA communities in Washington State alone last in June and delivered to President Obama. ROK Consulate General will be sent out these letters to the congress accordingly.
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From Left: KACCWA Board, Daniel Suh, Board Chair, Yun Sun Hong, Consul, Choi, Consul General, Song Yong An, KACCWA President, Susan Lee, Vice President, Sandra Englund, and Board, Judy Lee |
The
United States and the Republic of Korea’s Negotiations were announced on
February 2, 2006, and concluded on April 1, 2007. The treaty was first signed
on June 30, 2007, with a renegotiated version signed in early December 2010. However, the agreement has not yet been
ratified by the National Assembly of South Korea or the United States Congress
and thus has not yet entered into force.
ROK President Lee will attend the General Assembly and give a speech pledging that his country will take greater responsibility in international affairs, the office said.
On September 22, he will attend a high-level nuclear safety meeting and speak about South Korea's efforts in the field, as well as preparations for the Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul next March which The opening plenary meeting will be held in the General Assembly Hall. The opening plenary meeting will be chaired by the Secretary-General and the provisional list of invited speakers includes the Heads of States or Government of Brazil, France, Japan, Kazakhstan, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Ukraine and United States as well as the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency. See more detail for September 22nd, 2011 Meeting .
President Lee Myung Bak's visiting to Washington State is not the first time, he visited Seattle in 1998 when he was Mayor for Seoul in South Korea which he started Mayor in year 2002. President Lee Myung Bak altered the South Korean government's approach to North Korea, preferring a more hardline strategy in the wake of increased provocations from the North Korea. President Lee Myung Bak, has emerged as a major player of the Global Financial Crisis and on the international scene through hosting the 2010 G-20 Seoul summit.
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Sources: UN, wikipedia catch4all.com, Sandra Englund, , September 21, 2011 |