[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 31 (Monday, August 11, 2008)]
[Pages 1094-1095]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Prior to a Meeting With President Lee Myung-bak of South Korea 
in Seoul, South Korea

August 6, 2008

    President Lee. Mr. President, Mrs. Bush, as well as your lovely 
daughter, Barbara Bush, I would like to welcome you from the bottom of 
our hearts. Yes, well, Mr. President, the majority of the Korean people 
have been eagerly waiting for your visit to Korea this time, and as you 
saw yesterday, there were many people who gathered together to welcome 
your visit to Korea.
    President Bush. Thank you.
    President Lee. And also, Mr. President, yesterday in the lawn in 
front of the Seoul City Hall, there were many people gathered there, 
thousands of people gathered, who came together to pray, not only for 
your visit but also for the future of the Korea-U.S. relationship as 
well.
    And of course, behind those people, there were those who were sort 
of opposed. [Laughter] But, however, the number was minimal, sir.
    President Bush. Thank you.
    President Lee. Yes, well, Mr. President, I don't need to reiterate 
the fact that Korea and the United States, we are traditional allies and 
friends for many, many years. And also, it's been only a little over 5 
months since I assumed the Presidency, but today is already our third 
meeting, Mr. President. So, officially, but as well as personally, I 
have deep friendship for you and for the people of America, and I 
believe in the future of the Korea-U.S. relationship.
    And as you saw, Mr. President, the weather today is beautiful. We 
had rain coming, torrential rain coming up until about 2 days ago. Thank 
you.
    President Bush. Thank you, sir. Thank you, Mr. President. Laura and 
I are delighted to be with you and Mrs. Kim again. Ours is a vital 
relationship. And our three meetings will only strengthen the 
relationship. I admire your forthrightness, your integrity, and your 
deep love for the people of Korea.
    And I enjoy coming to a free society, where people are able to 
express their opinions. And your country is a free society. So,

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thank you. I'm looking forward to our conversations. Thank you, sir.

Note: The President spoke at 9:46 a.m. at the Blue House. In his 
remarks, he referred to Kim Yoon-ok, wife of President Lee.