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The Netherlands

Sparkling State Visit sees King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima welcome South Korea’s President to the Netherlands

By
15th December 2023
Royal Palace, Amsterdam

The King and Queen of the Netherlands have welcomed the President of South Korea on a State Visit.

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima hosted President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife, Kim Keon Hee, for a two day visit which took in Amsterdam, Veldhoven and The Hague.

The official welcome for the State Visit took place on Dam Square in Amsterdam on December 12th 2023. The Dutch King and the South Korean President laid wreaths at the National Monument.

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After the national anthems of both countries were played, the Dutch King and the President of South Korea inspected the guard. A reception for dignitaries then took place before a private lunch in the Royal Palace.

President Yoon Suk Yeol and King WIllem-Alexander then went on to Veldhoven to see how South Korea and the Netherlands are working together in technology.

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The first day of the State Visit concluded with a State Banquet at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam. King Willem-Alexander began his speech with a welcome in Korean which was well received by his guests. The Dutch King went on to praise the links between the two countries in the world of technology before noting that the bonds went much deeper and included ”agriculture, architecture, security, sustainable energy and the fight against climate change.” King Willem-Alexander also spoke about the huge influence South Korea has on culture in the Netherlands, with nods to K-pop, K-movies and kimchi.

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Queen Maxima chose a ruby and diamond tiara with earrings from the same parure, a collection that originally belonged to Queen Emma, the last consort of the country before Maxima.

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Day two of the State Visit saw the South Korean President head to The Hague to meet parliamentarians and hold an audience with Prime Minister, Mark Rutte. King Willem-Alexander then joined the politicians and the South Korean President for a lunch hosted by the government.

Later, the two leaders met veterans of the Korean war.

The second day also included a business forum with a particular focus on technology.

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The State Visit concluded in Amsterdam where President Yoon Suk Yeol and Kim Keon Hee hosted King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima at a concert celebrating Korean music.

The State Visit will be the last hosted by the Dutch King and Queen in 2023.

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About author

Lydia Starbuck is Jubilee and Associate Editor at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra. Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024. June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station. June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.