WASHINGTON, DC - - The President and Mrs. Clinton are hosting His Excellency the President of the Republic of Korea and Mrs. Kim Dae-jung at a State Dinner on Tuesday, June 9, 1998. The President and Mrs. Kim will arrive at the North Portico at 7:15 p.m..

Guests will be received by the President and Mrs. Clinton, and President and Mrs. Kim Dae-jung, in the Cross Hall at the White House. Following the receiving line, the President and Mrs. Clinton will escort President and Mrs. Kim into the East Room for dinner.

The tables in the East Room will be set with silver chargers base plates; the Franklin Delano Roosevelt china will be used for service. Kennedy Morgantown crystal and King Charles flatware will be set on mauve silk tablecloths. The silver compotes with white taper candles will be surrounded by blush peonies, lavender roses and dark blue delphiniums and silver candlesticks with white taper candles.

Following the dinner, guests will be entertained in the East Room by sopranoHei-Kyung Hong, accompanied by pianist Steven Eldredge

OFFICIAL DINNER ENTERTAINMENT:

Ms. Hei-Kyung Hong, accompanied by Mr. Steven Eldredge

A soprano blessed with a voice of uncommon beauty and warmth, Ms. Hei-Kyung Hong has captured critical and popular acclaim at the world's leading opera houses and concert halls. A native of Kang Won Do, Korea, Ms. Hong is a graduate of the Juilliard School of Music in New York City where she now resides.

She will be accompanied by recital pianist Steven Eldredge, a native of Sacramento, California. For the past seven years, Mr. Eldredge has been assistant conductor at the Metropolitan Opera.