TVs in White House Changed from Sony to Samsung

Samsung TVs have replaced the Sony’s in the Blair House, the official guesthouse of the White House where world leaders stay when they meet the president of the U.S.

According to diplomatic sources in Washington, 3 Sony TVs in the Blair House were replaced with Samsung 52-inch flat panel TVs in the bedroom, living room and study of the VIP room in September last year. The Blair House consists of 4 townhouses facing the White House. Since 1942, it has been used as a guesthouse, and among its 119 rooms, 7 are for heads of state visiting the White House.

A diplomatic source said, “It is meaningful that TVs used by world leaders have been changed from Sony to Samsung. The Korean government presented the TVs to the White House as a pledge of friendship before the Korea-U.S. summit held on September 14, 2006.”

At that time, The Blair House was contemplating buying new Sony TVs. After comparing various products from many countries, the Blair House decided to replace the old ones with Samsung TVs.

According to another source, since the 2005 Korea-U.S. summit, the Korean government has considered presenting Samsung TVs to the White House, and the Blair House changed the TVs because of the high quality of Samsung TVs and for the sake of the development of the Korea-U.S. alliance. President Roh Moo-hyun expressed his gratitude to the officials of the Blair House for accepting the gift.

The Blair House was also used at a time of state funerals. When former Presidents like Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford passed away, first ladies stayed at the Blair house meeting guests. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also stayed here when he visited the White House on April 26 this year.

Former U.S. President Harry Truman used the Blair house as his office while the White House was renovated, and decided to participate in the Korean War there.

srkim@donga.com sechepa@donga.com