S. Korean president to attend India's Republic Day event

By Lee Chi-dong

NEW DELHI, Jan. 26 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak was to attend India's Republic Day celebrations later Tuesday, the third day of his state visit here aimed at improving the countries' relations, his office said.

Lee has been invited to the annual event, one of the nation's largest
celebrations, as "Chief Guest." India annually invites a foreign head of state to
the two-hour parade in front of the presidential palace to mark the adoption of
its constitution and its transition from a British dominion to a republic in
1950.
Russian leader Vladimir Putin and French President Nicolas Sarkozy attended it in
2007 and 2008, respectively.
"We are deeply honored that you have accepted our invitation to be the Chief
Guest at our Republic Day celebrations," Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said in a
summit with Lee on Monday.
Lee said it is expected to serve as a good chance for the two sides to boost
friendly ties.
He is then scheduled to attend a Republic Day reception hosted by President
Pratibha Patil, according to the South Korean presidential office, Cheong Wa Dae.
Lee and his wife will also hold a meeting with more than 200 South Korean
residents in India on Tuesday night. Around 8,500 South Koreans, mostly employees
of South Korean companies and their families, live in India.
Lee plans to head to Switzerland the following day, where he will meet FIFA
President Sepp Blatter and join the Davos Forum.
lcd@yna.co.kr
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