First Ladies of Korea and China Meet for the First Time: Kim Says "I'm a Fan," Peng Replies "Thank You"
by Lim Chulyoung
Published 05 Jan.2026 19:48(KST)
First Lady Kim Hye-kyung: "I was disappointed you didn't come to Gyeongju"
Peng Liyuan: "Deeply impressed by the warm and welcoming Korean people"
Alongside the summit between President Lee Jaemyung and Chinese President Xi Jinping, the First Ladies of both countries also met and held a friendship event. This was the first time the two First Ladies had met.
On this day, First Lady Kim Hye-kyung met with Peng Liyuan, the wife of President Xi, at the Fujian Hall of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, where they shared tea and had a friendly conversation. During President Xi's state visit to Korea last November for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, Peng did not accompany him.
Peng Liyuan expressed her gratitude, saying, "President Lee hosted a very grand welcoming ceremony for President Xi in Gyeongju. At that time, you also sent your regards to me."
First Lady Kim replied with a smile, "I expected you would come with President Xi for APEC, so I was quite disappointed when you did not. I am very pleased to meet you here in Beijing. In fact, I have been a fan of yours for a long time."
In response, Peng Liyuan said, "Thank you," and recalled her state visit to Korea with President Xi in 2014. She continued, "At that time, I visited the beautiful Changdeokgung Palace and took a look around Dongdaemun Market at night. I was deeply impressed by the warm and welcoming nature of the Korean people."
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