K-pop sensation BTS heading to White House to discuss anti-Asian hate

WASHINGTON — Korean pop supergroup BTS will meet with President Joe Biden on Tuesday to discuss the uptick in anti-Asian hate incidents in the United States.

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“President Biden has previously spoken about his commitment to combating the surge of anti-Asian hate crimes,” a White House statement said. “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.”

The summit is slated to close out Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month activities in Washington, NBC News reported.

The Grammy-nominated boyband’s visit comes days after Biden returned from his first trip to Asia as president, which included a three-day stop in Seoul and meetings with newly-elected South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, CNN reported.

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More than 10,000 hate incidents against Asian American and Pacific Islander persons were reported to advocacy organization Stop AAPI Hate between March 19, 2020, and Dec. 31, 2021, the network reported.

BTS has previously spoken out against anti-Asian hate incidents, addressing the issue both on social media and during their post-pandemic tours, NBC News reported.

“We stand against racial discrimination,” the band said in a statement, which was shared on the group’s Twitter last year. “We condemn violence. You, I and we all have the right to be respected. We will stand together.”

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