#107 Secretary Clinton’s Fourth Visit to Korea

[스티븐스 대사]

This past weekend Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton completed her fourth visit to Korea as Secretary of State.  Although this was a short visit (about 16 hours in total) it was busy as always, and timely.

Secretary Clinton arrived in Seoul on a sunny Saturday afternoon.

Secretary Clinton arrived after a long flight from Berlin on Saturday, when Seoul was enjoying perhaps its best weather so far this year.  It was a perfect spring day.  Her first official meeting was with her counterpart, Korean Foreign Minister Kim Sung-Hwan.   

Foreign Minister Kim Sung-Hwan greeted Secretary Clinton at his Residence.

The following morning, Sunday morning, Secretary Clinton was up early to speak to a breakfast meeting organized by the American Chamber of Commerce and the Korea FTA Business Alliance.  She outlined the importance of the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement to both our countries and underscored the Obama administration commitment to securing its early ratification.  You can see her remarks here. 

Secretary Clinton outlined the importance of the KORUS FTA at the AMCHAM breakfast meeting.

(Photo courtesy of AMCHAM)

That early Sunday morning breakfast, in a hotel ballroom filled with close to three hundred American and Korean business leaders, made me think about how impressive it is that in Korea a group like this can be organized so quickly!  The invitations were issued only on Friday, for a Sunday morning event!  I regard the big turnout as a sign of the respect in which Secretary Clinton is held, and even more as evidence of the significance of the KORUS FTA.

Secretary Clinton completed her visit to Seoul with a call on President Lee Myung-bak at the Blue House.  Then it was off to Japan for a full day for Secretary Clinton there before returning to Washington Sunday evening.  What a schedule! 

Secretary Clinton received a warm welcome from President Lee Myung-bak at the Blue House. 

Secretary Clinton left a message on the Blue House guest book.

I have learned from Secretary Clinton what she calls “the discipline of gratitude.”  In the midst of meetings, speeches and countless trips from one country to another she always takes a moment to admire what is around her, from the profusion of forsythia garlanding Seoul to the framed royal hanbok hanging on the walls at the Foreign Minister’s residence to the artwork and spring blossoms at the Blue House.  During her 16 hours in Korea, she not only met with the President, the Foreign Minister, and over 250 members of the business community, she took a moment, wherever she was, to appreciate the beauty at hand.

We can all learn from this example how to manage the pressures of a busy life. 

Off to Japan for Secretary Clinton!