POTUS visits DMZ
President Obama looks toward North Korea from the demilaterized zone.
March 25th, 2012
05:32 AM ET
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POTUS visits DMZ

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Seoul, South Korea (CNN) - President Barack Obama used his first visit to the demilitarized zone that splits the Korean peninsula to peer through binoculars into North Korea where flags flew at half-staff to mark the 100-day anniversary of the death of Kim Jong Il.
The stop at the border Sunday marked the start of a three-day trip to South Korea where the American president is to attend an international nuclear summit.
Top officials from 54 countries including China and Russia will attend the summit. But its message of international cooperation has been overshadowed by North Korea's announcement last week that it is planning to carry out a rocket-powered satellite launch in April.

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Topics: President Obama • South Korea • The News
March 21st, 2012
01:25 AM ET
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Obama to make first visit to Korean demilitarized zone

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President Barack Obama is scheduled to visit the demilitarized zone that splits the Korean Peninsula in two for the first time on Sunday.

His planned visit to the heavily fortified border is part of a three-day trip to South Korea to participate in a summit meeting about nuclear security in Seoul.

Top officials from 54 countries including China and Russia will attend the summit meeting next week, but its message of international cooperation has been overshadowed by North Korea's announcement last week that it is planning to carry out a rocket-powered satellite launch in April.

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Topics: North Korea • President Obama • South Korea • Uncategorized
Welcome to the State Dinner
October 13th, 2011
11:24 PM ET
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Welcome to the State Dinner

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President  Obama and first lady Michelle Obama welcome South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and his wife Kim Yoon-ok in the Cross Hall as they arrive for a State Dinner at the White House.
Topics: South Korea • State Dinner • The Visuals
Who got a ticket to the State Dinner?
Notable attendees at tonight's State dinner include former tennis great Billy Jean King - shown here receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House on Aug. 12, 2009; CBS Evening News anchor and managing editor Scott Pelley - shown speaking at the CBS Evening News Presentation on Aug. 3, 2011; and actor John Cho - shown attending The OxFam Party on Nov. 18, 2010. (Suzanne Malveaux/CNN; Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images; and Getty Images for Esquire House)
October 13th, 2011
06:33 PM ET
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Who got a ticket to the State Dinner?

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Below is a list of expected attendees at tonight’s State Dinner.

The President and Mrs. Obama

His Excellency Lee Myung-bak, President of the Republic of Korea
Mrs. Kim Yoon-ok

Mr. Charles C. Adams, Jr., Geneva, Switzerland
Mrs. Vera Risteski-Adams

Ms. Angella Ahn, Performer, Bozeman, MT
Mr. Michael P. Moore

Ms. Lucia Ahn, Performer, New York, NY
Mr. Christiaan P. Ahn

Ms. Maria Ahn, Performer, New York, NY
Ms. Young Joo Rhee, Cliffside Park, NJ

The Honorable Brooke Anderson, Washington, DC
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Topics: South Korea • State Dinner • The Buzz
State Dinner entertainment
October 13th, 2011
06:13 PM ET
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State Dinner entertainment

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The White House will host entertainment in the State Dining Room following the dinner in the East Room, featuring performances by the Ahn Trio and selections by Janelle Monáe.

THE AHN TRIO
Angella Ahn, Violin
Lucia Ahn, Piano
Maria Ahn, Cello

JANELLE MONÁE
Janelle Monáe, Vocals
Terrence Brown, Keyboard
Kellis Parker Jr., Guitar
Michael Phillips, Drums
Jonathan Webb, Bass
Lance Powlis, Trumpet
Marcus Lewis, Trombone
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Topics: South Korea • State Dinner • The Buzz • The Visuals
What's for dinner?
October 13th, 2011
05:53 PM ET
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What's for dinner?

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The President and Mrs. Obama will host His Excellency President Lee Myung-bak and Mrs. Kim Yoon-ok for a State Dinner on the night of October 13th, 2011. The State Dinner will be held in the East Room of the White House. White House Executive Chef Cris Comerford and White House Executive Pastry Chef William Yosses have constructed the evening’s menu using local ingredients, including produce grown in the White House Kitchen Garden.

A Fall Harvest Dinner
The Korea State Dinner Menu is a celebration of an early Fall Harvest. Last week, on October 5, the First Lady and local students from Tubman and Bancroft Elementary Schools in Washington, DC worked together to harvest vegetables in the White House Kitchen Garden as part of Mrs. Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative. Vegetables from that harvest are highlighted in this evening’s dinner and perennial herbs from the garden are used throughout the meal.

Local Menu Selection
The first course, Butternut Squash Bisque, represents the best in local, seasonal fare: the dish is light yet robust and features the scents of fall. It includes squash from the White House Kitchen Garden and honey from the White House beehive. The Early Fall Harvest Salad, featuring daikon sheets and masago rice pearl crispies, is a nod to Korean traditions, and includes greens from the White House Kitchen Garden. The main dish features wagyu beef from a Texas ranch, fresh kale from a DC-area source and squash from the White House Kitchen Garden. The dessert features a classic recipe of chocolate cake layered with a harmonious blend of Korean and American pears.

First Course
Butternut Squash Bisque, Honey Poached Cranberries,
Virginia Cured Ham, Pumpkin Seed Praline, Crème Fraiche

Second Course
Early Fall Harvest Salad on Daikon Sheets,
Masago Rice Pearl Crispies, Rice Wine Vinaigrette

Main Course
Texas Wagyu Beef, Orange-Ginger Fondue,
Sauteed Kale, Roasted Kabocha Squash

Dessert
Chocolate Malt Devils Food Layers
With Pear and Almond Brittle

An American wine will be paired with each course
Topics: South Korea • State Dinner • The Buzz • The Visuals
October 13th, 2011
05:18 PM ET
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The pomp and circumstance of a state visit

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Topics: South Korea • State Visit • The Visuals
The Obamas welcome the President and First Lady of the Republic of Korea Thursday
October 12th, 2011
06:52 PM ET
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The Obamas welcome the President and First Lady of the Republic of Korea Thursday

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The state visit for the President and the First Lady of the Republic of Korea begins Thursday. Besides high level meetings between the two leaders, First Lady Michelle Obama will bring her counterpart to a school in Northern Virginia and an elegant state dinner is planned.

Here is a great story  from CNN Producer Larry Lazo about forging diplomatic ties on another level.

Establishing goodwill and building on an already strong foundation. That was the motive behind the "Taste of Korea" event in Washington.

A number of activities were held to help foster better understanding between Korean and American cultures. Youngsters enjoyed everything from a cooking lesson and arts and crafts to live music and a martial arts demonstration.

Twenty middle school students from Alice Deal Middle School in Washington were invited to the festivities. They were joined by twenty Korean American students – all of them children of employees of the Embassy of Korea.

Read more on CNN eatocracy
Topics: Michelle Obama • President Obama • South Korea • State Visit
Dep Press Sec Burton AF1 gaggle
November 23rd, 2010
01:37 PM ET
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Dep Press Sec Burton AF1 gaggle

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November 23, 2010

      MR. BURTON:  Okay, ready to go.

     Q    Does the President consider North Korea’s actions an act of war?

     MR. BURTON:  As you know, the President is outraged by these actions.  And as we said in the statement earlier today, we stand shoulder to shoulder with our ally in South Korea.  And as the President said in Korea, we're fully committed to their defense.

     Our condolences go to the victims of this attack.  And we'll be working with South Korea and the international community in coming days on the best way forward in securing peace and stability in the region.

     The President will speak with President Lee at some point soon.  They’re still working out the time at which they talk.

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Topics: AF1 • Bill Burton • South Korea • TSA • White House
Lights...camera...
November 23rd, 2010
10:03 AM ET
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Lights...camera...

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TV crews set up HMI lights, waiting to illuminate their correspondents at the stand-up position on the North Lawn of the White House.  This morning's story – North Korea attacks South Korean island.
Topics: South Korea • The Buzz • The Visuals • White House
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