[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.