Korean, French first ladies discuss cultural cooperation during visit to National Museum of Korea
Published: 03 Apr. 2026, 19:23
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- SARAH KIM
- [email protected]
![Korean first lady Kim Hea Kyung, right, and French first lady Brigitte Macron, second from right, tour the Room of Quiet Contemplation featuring two pensive Bodhisattva statues at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan District, central Seoul on April 3. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/04/03/869cb81b-7baf-4d91-8c90-a2a4a4e88e3c.jpg)
Korean first lady Kim Hea Kyung, right, and French first lady Brigitte Macron, second from right, tour the Room of Quiet Contemplation featuring two pensive Bodhisattva statues at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan District, central Seoul on April 3. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]
First lady Kim Hea Kyung and her French counterpart, Brigitte Macron, visited the National Museum of Korea in central Seoul on Friday and discussed cultural cooperation and trending Korean content.
The first ladies viewed key exhibitions at the museum, including the Room of Quiet Contemplation featuring two pensive Bodhisattva statues, both of which are designated National Treasures, a Silla-era gold crown and a 10-story stone pagoda from Gyeongcheon Temple, National Treasure of Korea No. 86, according to deputy spokesperson Ahn Gwi-ryeong in a statement. The event to strengthen friendly relations between the first ladies took place during a bilateral summit between President Lee Jae Myung and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Kim and first lady Macron also visited the exhibition hall for the Oegyujanggak Uigwe, royal protocol manuscripts from the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), which holds historical significance to the two countries.
The Oegyujanggak Uigwe, which records major events and rituals of the Joseon royal family, was looted by French troops during France's 1866 raid on Korea's Ganghwa Island and returned in 2011 under a long-term renewable loan arrangement.
"These are precious historical documents that were once taken to France and have now returned," Kim said, "We were able to exhibit them because France preserved them so well."
Kim expressed her gratitude to first lady Macron, who in turn replied that children will be able to learn important values from it.
While looking through digital materials documenting King Sukjong's (1661-1720) final journey, Kim and Macron discussed tigers and mentioned Netflix's award-winning animated film "KPop Demon Hunters" (2025).
"It's the kind of tiger that appears in KPop Demon Hunters," Kim said, referring to beloved supernatural character Derpy.
Macron called the movie "the best," and noted that Netflix hit show "Squid Game" (2021-25) was also very popular in France.
![Korean first lady Kim Hea Kyung, right, and French first lady Brigitte Macron form the shape of a heart with their hands greeting visitors at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan District, central Seoul on April 3. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/04/03/47f741f7-03df-4708-8c6c-fb50b1563867.jpg)
Korean first lady Kim Hea Kyung, right, and French first lady Brigitte Macron form the shape of a heart with their hands greeting visitors at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan District, central Seoul on April 3. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]
Visitors shouted out, "Welcome to Korea," when they saw the two first ladies. Kim taught the French first lady how to make a hand heart toward the visitors.
"It was meaningful to experience Korea's long history and cultural strength firsthand," Macron was quoted as saying. "It's a pity that we didn't have more time."
The two first ladies met Thursday evening during the private dinner at the Blue House compound between the two countries' presidents and spouses. Kim wore a white-and-blue hanbok during this event.
During the welcoming ceremony, Kim wore a white skirt suit and first lady Macron a dark navy skirt suit.
Later, when the first ladies joined their husbands for the state luncheon at the Blue House, Kim wore a yellow hanbok, while first lady Macron wore a white dress.
At the state luncheon, the presidential couples were joined by K-pop boy band Stray Kids's Felix, and Jun Ji-hyun, both honorary ambassadors for the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and France, in a commemorative photo later shared on President Lee's X account.
BY SARAH KIM [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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