Thursday: Ceremonial festivities...On Thursday, Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will host a luncheon at the State Department in honor of President Lee Myung-bak and First Lady Kim Yoon-ok of the Republic of Korea. Dr. Jill Biden is also a co-host, according to the White House. (Above: Lee and Clinton during her April, 2011 visit to Seoul, South Korea)
The late-afternoon luncheon comes after President Obama and First Lady Obama welcome the Korean First Couple to the White House in a pomp-filled ceremony on the South Lawn that begins the State Visit, the fifth of the Administration. The two Presidents will also hold bilateral meetings and a press conference, and Mrs. Obama will host a special event for Mrs. Kim.
The State Dinner will be in the evening, and is expected to be held inside the White House, though details are currently under tight wraps.
President Obama and President Lee travel to Michigan together on Friday, to promote the Korea Free Trade Agreement.
*State Department photo, taken on April 17, 2011