    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book I)]
    [July 10, 1993]
    [Page 1057]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 1057]]

    Remarks at a State Dinner in Seoul
    July 10, 1993

        President and Mrs. Kim, distinguished guests: First let me, on
    behalf of my wife and all the Americans here present, thank you for the
    warm hospitality we have already received. I had a very fine meeting
    today with President Kim and then had the opportunity to be the guest of
    the Speaker at the National Assembly.
        Tonight we celebrate the warm friendship between our two nations.
    Forty-three years ago America and the Republic of Korea joined forces to
    preserve freedom on the peninsula. The times then were perilous, and few
    could have imagined just how successful those efforts would be. Your
    nation's remarkable development has made Korea a model today for other
    nations seeking to join the ranks of the developed world. And your
    rising prosperity is now complemented in the leadership of President Kim
    by a second ``miracle on the Han,'' the flowering of democracy.
    President Kim, you have been an eloquent voice for democracy when
    democracy was not an easy thing to advocate. Your values and your valor
    have led the people of Korea to a new level of freedom.
        And so I come, along with our party, to Korea to discuss, in the
    spirit of friendship, the challenges that lie ahead; to continue a
    dedicated partnership between our two peoples; to affirm our resolute
    commitment to Korea's security; and to begin a personal partnership with
    you, Mr. President, which I know will flourish in the years ahead.
        In our separate Inaugural Addresses, Mr. President, we each invoked
    the image of a season of rebirth. You heralded the hope of a new spring,
    and I suggested a new spring of hope. Now as we enter the summer months,
    let us celebrate the meeting of our minds and rejoice in the warm
    friendship between America and Korea.
        With great respect, I ask everyone here to join me in a toast to
    you, Mr. President, and to the Republic of Korea for peace, for
    democracy, for eventual unification, and for continued prosperity.

    Note: The President spoke at 8:45 p.m. at the Blue House.