On Monday, President Lee Jae Myung remarked during a state dinner with the President of Singapore that this venue for tonight’s dinner is where Singapore previously orchestrated the historic North Korea-U.S. summit.
President Lee made these comments at the Capella Hotel during the 6:00 p.m. state dinner with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam. He emphasized that this location symbolizes Singapore’s diplomatic leadership in fostering peace, maintaining amicable relations based on trust and respect with nations holding differing positions. Tonight’s dinner carries even deeper significance.
The Capella Hotel, situated on Singapore’s Sentosa Island, was the site of the North Korea-U.S. summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in June 2018.
President Lee further expressed that he’s confident that Singapore will continue to fully support its government’s efforts to facilitate dialogue between North and South Korea and achieve tangible progress towards peace on the Korean Peninsula.
He then proposed a toast, saying that he hopes this state visit will provide greater momentum for the strategic partnership and further deepen the friendship between the two nations.
During the event, President Shanmugaratnam displayed a particular affinity for K-pop and K-dramas. He noted that both countries have mandatory military service for men, adding that Singapore’s is for two years, while Korea’s lasts 18 to 21 months.
He continued that he mentions this because many Singaporeans are keenly interested in the BTS members’ completion of military service, and they’re thrilled that the group will perform in Singapore this December. This comment elicited laughter from the attendees.
He also referenced the K-drama Crash Landing on You, praising it for portraying the quiet dignity of ordinary lives across three generations, which has garnered love from many in Singapore and worldwide.
He added that as someone who shares a deep appreciation for food like its citizens, he wants to express his admiration for Culinary War, which beautifully showcases Korean craftsmanship and excellence.
President Shanmugaratnam remarked that in Korea, there’s a saying that fermented soybean paste and people improve with age, which aptly describes the relationship between the two countries.
He concluded by stating that the nations have walked side by side for over half a century, forging a partnership that grows stronger with time, resilient against any challenges, before proposing a toast.