Who will represent Korea at Trump’s inauguration ceremony?

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump speaks throughout a gathering with Republican governors at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Seashore, Fla., Thursday (native time). AP-Yonhap

As U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony on Jan. 20 approaches, all eyes are on which Korean figures will attend the occasion amid the continued political turmoil at residence.

With the fallout from President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial legislation debacle and subsequent impeachment nonetheless unfolding, the presence of Korean attendees at Trump’s inauguration is seen as a vital alternative to strengthen communication with the incoming U.S. administration.

In keeping with political events, Friday, seven lawmakers from the Nationwide Meeting’s Overseas Affairs and Unification Committee — 4 from the ruling Individuals Energy Celebration (PPP) and three from the primary opposition Democratic Celebration of Korea (DPK) — are anticipated to attend the occasion.

From the PPP, Reps. Kim Seok-ki, Ihn Yo-han, Yoon Sang-hyun and Kim Gi-hyeon will make the journey, whereas DPK Reps. Hong Kee-won, Kim Younger-bae and Cho Jeong-sik can even attend. The lawmakers are scheduled to journey to the U.S. on Jan. 18 and 20 for the inauguration ceremony and conferences with officers in Washington.

2025-01-11 11:12  |  World

Another ruling social gathering members have been invited as a result of private relationships with Trump’s aides.

Rep. Na Kyong-won, who beforehand chaired the overseas affairs committee, has acquired an invite to the ceremony. She has shut connections with Senator Invoice Hagerty and former U.S. Nationwide Safety Adviser John Bolton.

Members of the Overseas Affairs and Unification Committee attend a gathering on the Nationwide Meeting in Seoul, Dec. 16, 2024. Yonhap

Rep. Kim Dae-sik of the PPP additionally acquired an invite from Senator John Cornyn, in line with Kim’s workplace, and is ready to satisfy with Senators Cornyn and Ted Cruz throughout his go to to Washington. Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, a former PPP member and seasoned politician, has additionally been invited, in line with Daegu Metropolitan Metropolis.

Whereas the Ministry of Overseas Affairs has but to formally verify particulars of the federal government delegation for Trump’s swearing-in ceremony, primarily based on previous precedents, Korea’s Ambassador to the U.S. Cho Hyun-dong and his partner are prone to attend.

A number of figures from the enterprise sector can even attend. This contains Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin, SM Group Chairman Woo Oh-hyun, SPC Group Chairman Hur Younger-in and Poongsan Group Chairman Ryu Jin, who can be head of the Federation of Korean Industries.

Trump’s second inauguration has drawn heightened consideration from allies, as he has damaged a long-standing custom of limiting the presidential swearing-in ceremony to home dignitaries by inviting world leaders.

Among the many overseas leaders reportedly invited are El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Argentine President Javier Milei.

Notably, Trump prolonged an invite to Chinese language chief Xi Jinping, an uncommon gesture towards a communist chief from an American president-elect. Nonetheless, current experiences counsel that Xi is unlikely to attend and will as an alternative ship a authorities delegation.