K-pop idol and Grammy-nominated group BTS arrived in Washington, D.C. on May 29 for their meeting with US President Joe Biden at the White House on May 31 to discuss anti-Asian hate crimes and discrimination.
BTS’ RM, Jin, Suga, V, Jimin and J-Hope arrived at Dulles International Airport on May 29 after boarding their flight at Incheon International Airport. Jungkook left for the US on May 28.
Fans waited at the arrival area of Dulles to welcome BTS but the group exited the airport through a private route.
Yonhap News published photos of BTS going out of Dulles through a special exit and reported that this was done due to safety concerns.
The White House announced on May 26 that BTS will join President Biden to discuss anti-Asian hate crimes and celebrate the Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month.
This month, Biden visited South Korea and met with newly elected President Yoon Suk-yeol.
According to the White House, on May 31, BTS “will join President Biden to discuss Asian inclusion and representation and to address anti-Asian hate crimes and discrimination which have become more prominent issues in recent years.”
“President Biden has previously spoken about his commitment to combating the surge of anti-Asian hate crimes and signed into law the Covid-19 Hate Crimes Act in May 2021 to provide law enforcement with resources to identify, investigate, and report hate crimes and ensure that hate crimes information is more accessible to AA and NHPI communities,” the White House added in a press statement.
It added, “President Biden and BTS will also discuss the importance of diversity and inclusion and BTS’ platform as youth ambassadors who spread a message of hope and positivity across the world.”
After meeting with Biden, BTS will be releasing their anthology album “Proof” on June 10.