The Korea Times
President Lee Jae Myung is rewriting the diplomatic playbook with "personalized guest experiences." By matching gifts and guest lists to visiting leaders, Lee has helped build rapport and draw attention. Lee's strategy often involves the pets of visiting dignitaries. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, a vocal advocate for animal welfare and a dog owner, received hanbok capes, a traditional Korean garment, for his pet during his visit. Tusk said he was touched by the gesture. During Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's visit in February, Lee presented hanbok capes and a gat — a traditional Korean hat — for the leader's three dogs. When Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto departed Seoul early this month, Lee gave him a cat outfit styled as a gonryongpo, a traditional Korean royal robe. The two leaders bonded over the fact that both own pets named Bobby — the name for Lee's dog and Subianto's cat. Lee also uses custom gifts to acknowledge personal preferences and shared histories. Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama received a custom-made Ghana chocolate bar during his M
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