Senior Officials from US, Japan, China to Attend S. Korean President's Inauguration

Senior officials from the U.S., Japan, China, and Singapore will attend South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol's inauguration ceremony scheduled for next Tuesday.

China's Vice President Wang Qishan plans to attend the inauguration as Beijing tries to expand its influence in the region. The United States is sending the second gentleman Douglas Emhoff as the head of its delegation to the ceremony, according to the president-elect's team.

From Japan, former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama will attend the inauguration, and Tokyo is also expected to send a minister-level official. Moreover, Singapore's President Halimah is among a group of foreign leaders invited by the president-elect to attend the ceremony on May 10.

In addition, Some 41,000 people including two former presidents, lawmakers, and foreign dignitaries are invited to the ceremony. Outgoing President Moon Jae-in and first lady Kim Jung-sook will attend before leaving for their retirement home in Yangsan. Former President Park Geun-hye is also coming.

Reports revealed that the inauguration will take place at the plaza in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, western Seoul at 11 a.m. There will be pre-ceremony events starting at 10 a.m.

The slogan for the inauguration is "Again, the Republic of Korea! A new country of the people."