BTS to address anti-asian hate crimes with Biden at White House

ABC AFP WASHINGTON K-pop superstars BTS will head to the White House next week to address hate crimes against Asians and people of Asian descent with US President Joe Biden, the White House said in a statement on Thursday.

Biden would host the global phenomenon musical group on Tuesday, discuss Asian inclusion and representation, and address anti-Asian hate crimes and discrimination, which have become more prominent issues in recent years, it said.

The IFPI Global Recording Artist of the Year crown was won in February for the second consecutive year by the seven members of the South Korean boy band who are known for their upbeat songs and dances.

The meeting comes as May's recognition of Asian American and Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander AANHPI comes to a close amid a rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans in the past year. As some politicians and pundits have encouraged Americans to blame China for COVID 19, the attacks against people of Asian descent have escalated.

ALSO READ: Biden to sign an executive order to combat anti-Asian American bias.

A man was charged with shooting three women of Asian descent at a hair salon in Dallas last month. The incident is being investigated by the authorities as a potential hate crime.

American President Joe Biden speaks at the East Room of the White House in Washington on April 27, 2022 during the 2022 National and State Teachers of the Year event. SUSAN WALSH AP The K-pop stars have been known for their texts and social campaigns aimed at empowering youngsters since debuting in 2013.

Biden and BTS will discuss the importance of diversity and inclusion and BTS' platform as a youth ambassador who spread a message of hope and positivity across the world, the White House said in a statement.

Big Hit Music, the group's management, said it was honored to be invited to the White House.

As artists representing South Korea, we look forward to discussing various topics such as inclusion, diversity, anti-Asian hate crimes, culture and art, Big Hit Music said.

The group leader and rapper RM shared the decision on its online fan platform, Weverse, saying the invitation has a good cause.