Hillary Clinton's visit throws Seoul questions over protocol

(ATTN: RECASTS lead paras; UPDATES with additional information, minor changes)
By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, Feb. 6 (Yonhap) -- U.S. Scretary of State Hillary Clinton's upcoming trip
to Seoul is supposed to be businesslike, but South Korean officials say it
creates some unavoidable protocol headaches for them because of her unique status
as a former first lady.

The officials said Friday that they may have to take some extra precautions in
terms of protocol when Clinton visit Seoul on Feb. 19-20 as part of her Asian
trip, which will also take her to Japan, Indonesia and China.
The visit will be very "business-like" as she and her South Korean counterpart Yu
Myung-hwan will discuss a wide range of urgent and serious issues, an official at
Seoul's presidential office said Friday.
Clinton's agenda in Seoul is certain to include such serious topics as North
Korea's nuclear weapons drive and a range of bilateral issues that would set the
tone for South Korea's future relationship with the Obama administration.
However, Seoul officials are no less concerned about determining the due
diplomatic protocol for Clinton's status as an incumbent U.S. secretary and
former first lady of her country.
"There are different protocols for a state minister and a former first lady," the
official, who advises President Lee Myung-bak on foreign affairs, said.
The official said diplomatic protocol for former first ladies usually entails
providing security guards and a warm cordial welcome.
"Protocol for Secretary Clinton will be focused on her visit as a state minister
because her visit itself will be a business trip," the official said.
Others say Seoul would have to offer something extra.
"We have to consider her status also as a former first lady," another official at
the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae told Yonhap.
Kim Eun-hye, a Cheong Wa Dae spokeswoman, said Lee will host a luncheon for the
U.S. secretary on Feb. 20 to "exchange views on ways to develop the Korea-U.S.
alliance.
The official at the presidential office had indicated that might be the case,
saying the president will probably allot more time to talk with Clinton instead
of the 30 minutes usually granted to most of other visiting foreign dignitaries
or try to arrange a luncheon.
Clinton's Asia trip will take her to Japan and Indonesia before coming to Seoul.
The visits there will be closely followed by officials here, not only for
political or diplomatic outcomes, but also for their protocol for the U.S.
secretary and wife of former U.S. President Bill Clinton that could set a
precedent for Seoul.
bdk@yna.co.kr
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