White House Diaries

Saturday, November 12, 1983

View the President's Schedule

A last good bye with P.M.Nakasone & his very nice wife. We’re very fond of them. Then it was Marine 1 & A.F.1 & off to Seoul Korea—a 2 hr. & 5 min. flight. Landed at Kimpo air base. Pres. & Mrs. Chun awaited us. We went into the airport where crack troops were lined up, a great choir sang Battle Hymn of the Repub. and we did our formal greetings. Pres. Chun & I then went in one car, Nancy & Mrs. C. in another. Security here was overwhelming because of all the threats against me by the No. Koreans. The drive into town was fantastic—more than a million Koreans lining both sides of the streets waving Korean & Am. flags. Signs that said they loved us and seeing their faces you knew they meant it. Ambas. & Ceny Walker had moved out of the embassy residence so we could have it. Almost immediately we were on our way to address the General Assembly. There too we were well received. Then back to Blue House for meeting with the Pres. & a luncheon—really Korean. More meeting’s after lunch. Just a short time for a nap & change into Tux then back to Blue House for a state dinner. On way stopped at Embassy to meet with a group of leading Koreans & Americans. Could only stay a few minutes—we were delayed because one of the bomb sniffing dogs acted up about an elevator shaft. Other dogs were brought in & didn’t act as if there was a problem. On to the State Dinner—a magnificent setting. My partner, Mrs. Chun. She is a most delightful person. She & Nancy buddied up like 2 school chums. Afterward Korean entertainment and it was magic, the grace & beauty of the performers was like nothing we’ve ever seen. I wish I could bring them to America.