South Korea’s First Lady Kim Hye-kyung engaged in diplomatic “spouse diplomacy” with Ngo Phuong Lan, the wife of the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Aug.11 (Korea Bizwire) — On August 11, South Korea’s First Lady Kim Hye-kyung engaged in diplomatic “spouse diplomacy” with Ngo Phuong Lan, the wife of the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, during her visit to Seoul. The two women, dressed in their respective national traditional attire, visited the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan.
Kim Hye-kyung wore a pink-hued hanbok, while Ngo Phuong Lan donned a yellow ao dai, the traditional Vietnamese dress. They were welcomed by Yoo Hong-jun, the museum director, who greeted them while wearing a “magpie tiger badge,” a popular souvenir inspired by the Netflix animated film K-pop Demon Hunters.
Kim, along with Yoo, introduced Lan to key exhibits including the Buddha of the Goryeo period, Baekja porcelain, and the Cheongcheon Stone Pagoda. Lan expressed her admiration for a notable Buddha sculpture, commenting on its subtle smile. Kim shared that miniature versions of this Buddha were among the most popular museum “muse” products — a term blending “museum” and “goods.”
On Monday, South Korea’s First Lady Kim Hye-kyung and Ngo Phuong Lan, the wife of the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, attended a cultural exchange event for spouses at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan, Seoul, where they greeted the public. (Yonhap)
Lan showed particular interest in the museum’s gift shop, expressing her intent to purchase one of the Buddha miniatures, even joking that she would return for another visit to acquire more. Reflecting on the experience, Lan praised South Korean culture, saying she was deeply moved by the country’s cultural identity and values.
Before the museum tour, the two First Ladies had a private conversation at the presidential office. Lan shared her recent meeting with Vietnamese women living in South Korea, to which Kim responded, promising to continue supporting the integration and stability of multicultural families in Korean society.
At the end of the visit, Lan expressed a desire to hear the First Ladies’ love stories during their upcoming dinner, prompting a lighthearted response from Kim, who thanked her for her warmth and interest. Lan, a former cultural arts director and art major, is known for her strong interest in Korean culture, largely influenced by her brother-in-law, a Korean national.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
