South Korean President Lee Myung-bak visits U.S.

President Obama welcomed the South Korean leader to the White House on Thursday, with plans for bilateral meetings, a state dinner and a trip to Detroit.

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Oct. 13, 2011

Offering a toast to his guest, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, President Obama told the story of Lee's humble beginnings, then joked that it translated in Korean and English as "Yes he can."

Charles Dharapak / AP

Oct. 13, 2011

Lee, seated beside first lady Michelle Obama, laughs as President Obama, not shown, refers to the South Korean president by his nickname, "the bulldozer." Obama said, "He is unstoppable."

Jonathan Ernst / Reuters

Oct. 13, 2011

Ford Motor Co. chief executive Alan Mulally is among guests at the state dinner.

Charles Dharapak / AP

Oct. 13, 2011

President Obama addresses the state dinner crowd in the East Room of the White House.

Charles Dharapak / AP

Oct. 13, 2011

Lee delivers remarks during the state dinner.

Jim Watson / AFP/Getty Images

Oct. 13, 2011

President Obama and South Korean first lady Kim Yoon-ok.

Charles Dharapak / AP

Oct. 13, 2011

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon is recognized at a state dinner in South Korean President Lee Myung-bak's honor at the White House in Washington.

Jonathan Ernst / Reuters

Oct. 13, 2011

South Korean first lady Kim Yoon-ok, first lady Michelle Obama, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and President Obama on the North Portico of the White House before the state dinner for the guests.

Alex Wong / Getty Images

Oct. 13, 2011

The Obamas welcome their South Korean counterparts.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Oct. 13, 2011

The state dinner is the fifth in the Obama administration.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Oct. 13, 2011

The first lady's gown was designed by Doo-Ri Chung of New York.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Oct. 13, 2011

The place settings in the East Room feature apples as a tribute to a fall theme and chrysanthemums, South Korea's autumn flower of choice.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

Oct. 13, 2011

Reporters get a preview of the table setup.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

Oct. 13, 2011

Diners were to be served an American wine with each course.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

Oct. 13, 2011

Place cards mark seats at the head table.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

Oct. 13, 2011

A centerpiece detail from the state dinner.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

Oct. 13, 2011

Autumn foliage was a theme of the state dinner.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

Oct. 13, 2011

South Korean first lady Kim Yoon-ok and first lady Michelle Obama say their goodbyes to the students and teachers of Annandale High School in Annandale.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Washington, DC - October, 13: Autumnul decor, including projected leaves on the ceiling of the East Room during a preview of the dinner settings for tonight's Korean State Dinner at the White House on October, 13, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post)

Bill O'Leary / WASHINGTON POST

Oct. 13, 2011

The World Children's Choir performs at Annandale High School during the first ladies' visit.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Oct. 13, 2011

First lady Michelle Obama and South Korean first lady Kim Yoon-ok applaud the World Children's Choir during their visit to Annandale High.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Oct. 13, 2011

The World Children's Choir performs for first lady Michelle Obama and South Korean first lady Kim Yoon-ok at Annandale High School.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Oct. 13, 2011

First lady Michelle Obama and South Korean first lady Kim Yoon-ok talk with the students and teachers at Annandale High School.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Oct. 13, 2011

First lady Michelle Obama welcomes South Korean first lady Kim Yoon-ok to the stage at Annandale High.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Oct. 13, 2011

South Korean first lady Kim Yoon-ok heads onstage in the auditorium at Annandale High School in Annandale.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Oct. 13, 2011

First lady Michelle Obama addresses the students and teachers of Annandale High School.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Oct. 13, 2011

Violinist Jennifer Koh performs for first lady Michelle Obama and South Korean first lady Kim Yoon-ok at Annandale High School.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Oct. 13, 2011

Students react with excitement as first lady Michelle Obama and South Korean first lady Kim Yoon-ok enter the auditorium of Annandale High School in Annandale. The visit was part of the administration's activities to welcome the president and first lady of the Republic of Korea and continued Michelle Obama's tradition of extending the reach of the state visit beyond the gates of the White House.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Oct. 13, 2011

First lady Michelle Obama and South Korean first lady Kim Yoon-ok arrive at Annandale High School in Annandale, which is home to one of the largest Korean American communities in the Washington area.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Oct. 13, 2011

Lee meets with Obama at the White House.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Oct. 13, 2011

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and President Obama attend a state arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Oct. 13, 2011

Children watch the start of an arrival ceremony for Lee at the White House.

Alex Wong / Getty Images

Oct. 13, 2011

U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner tries to shake water from his umbrella before the start of an arrival ceremony for Lee at the White House.

Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

Oct. 13, 2011

Obama walks behind Lee as he takes the stage after bumping his head on an umbrella during a welcoming ceremony.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Oct. 13, 2011

Obama shakes hands with Lee.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Oct. 13, 2011

Obama welcomes Lee during a state arrival ceremony on the South Lawn.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Oct. 13, 2011

A crowd watches the arrival of Lee and South Korean first fady Kim Yoon-ok.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Oct. 13, 2011

Lee speaks during his arrival ceremony at the White House. Congress finally ratified a long-delayed trade deal with South Korea the day before, sending a timely infusion of goodwill into the pageantry of his state visit.

Jewel Samad / AFP/Getty Images

Oct. 13, 2011

Lee makes remarks as Obama stands next to him onstage.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Oct. 13, 2011

Obama welcomes Lee during a state arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House. Later in the day, Lee was scheduled to hold a joint news conference with Obama and address a joint meeting of Congress.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Oct. 13, 2011

Lee and South Korean first lady Kim Yoon-ok are greeted during a welcoming ceremony.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Oct. 13, 2011

South Korean first lady Kim Yoon-ok, second from right, is welcomed to the White House by first lady Michelle Obama during an arrival ceremony.

Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

Oct. 13, 2011

Children look up at Lee as he greets the crowd.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Oct. 13, 2011

Lee and Obama greet the crowd during the welcoming ceremony.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

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