Kim Geon-hee Engages in Spousal Diplomacy at ASEAN... "Need to Preserve Traditional Culture"

Invitation of Indonesian First Lady to Folk Park for Art Viewing
Visit to Indonesian Bio Company... "Solidarity Essential for Achieving Global Health Justice"

First Lady Kim Keon-hee, who accompanied President Yoon Suk-yeol on his visit to Indonesia, spent time socializing at the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Summit with the spouses of other leaders on the 6th (local time). She also visited an Indonesian bio company to engage in global solidarity activities related to infectious diseases.

On the morning of the same day, First Lady Kim participated in the spouses' program held at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah in Jakarta, invited by Iriana Widodo, the First Lady of the host country Indonesia, according to a written briefing by spokesperson Lee Do-woon. The two have met several times, including during President Jokowi’s official visit to Korea last year and the G20 Summit held in Bali, Indonesia.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The park visited by First Lady Kim and the spouses of various countries is a place that gathers different cultures and lifestyles from across Indonesia in one location. First Lady Kim drew pictures with local children and watched traditional arts and martial arts performances together with the spouses of the leaders from Cambodia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Bangladesh, and Japan.

Afterwards, they toured traditional crafts, artworks, and fashion accessories made by small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners from various regions of Indonesia, followed by a luncheon featuring traditional Indonesian cuisine. First Lady Kim said, "For the preservation of traditional culture, active support for future generations is most important," adding, "Interest in preserving traditional culture is also increasing recently in Korea." She also received a portrait of herself and her pet dog Saerom as a gift from First Lady Iriana.

First Lady Kim had a conversation with Mrs. Bette Chanmony, spouse of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, about a boy named Rota, whom they connected with through medical support during her visit to Cambodia last year, and they agreed to strengthen cooperation in the medical and health fields.

She also spoke individually with Mrs. Marcos, wife of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Mrs. Wan Azizah, wife of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and Mrs. Kishida Yuko, spouse of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

In the afternoon, First Lady Kim visited the Indonesian bio company Bio Farma. Bio Farma is cooperating with the International Vaccine Institute (IVI), headquartered in Korea, to develop and distribute typhoid vaccines. First Lady Kim was appointed honorary chairperson of the IVI Korea Supporters Association in March. She encouraged the researchers, saying, "Global solidarity and cooperation are essential to protect humanity from infectious diseases and illnesses and to realize global health justice." She also promised the continued interest of the Korean government and the IVI Korea Supporters Association.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.