Kim Hye-kyung Makes Diplomatic Debut at G7 Reception in Canada

On June 16, Kim Hye-kyung, the wife of President Lee Jae-myung, made her diplomatic debut at a reception hosted by the Governor General of Canada during the G7 summit. Known for her low-profile support, Kim Hye-kyung caught attention by wearing a traditional hanbok, showcasing her cultural heritage on an international stage.

The concept of 'fashion diplomacy' has long been recognized as a non-verbal means of expressing a nation's image, and the attire of first ladies often garners significant public interest and interpretation. Kim Hye-kyung's appearance has prompted a renewed examination of the fashion choices made by previous first ladies during their initial diplomatic engagements.

Dressed in a light yellow skirt and a green jeogori, Kim Hye-kyung stood out at the reception, where the dress code was either traditional attire or formal wear. Few attendees opted for traditional clothing, with most dressed in smart suits. A presidential office representative noted, "Many people requested to take photos with her, likely due to her traditional outfit, and she actively engaged in soft diplomacy throughout the event."

Maintaining a low profile during the election period, Kim Hye-kyung has now begun to take on more public engagements. On June 17, while President Lee attended official G7 events in Alberta, she remained in Calgary to meet with local Korean residents and visit the National Center for Disability Culture and Arts, continuing her solo schedule.

In contrast, Kim Geon-hee, the wife of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, made her first diplomatic appearance at the NATO summit in Madrid in June 2022. She showcased various styles of formal wear, consistently wearing a badge shaped like the fluttering South Korean flag on the left side of her outfits. On the final day of the summit, she donned an outfit reminiscent of the Ukrainian flag, consisting of a yellow lace blouse and a sky-blue skirt, which was noted as a significant gesture by then-people's power party leader Lee Jun-seok.

Former First Lady Kim Jung-sook, wife of President Moon Jae-in, made her diplomatic debut at a White House welcome dinner in June 2017, wearing a white hanbok jeogori with an indigo skirt and jade-colored jacket. This hanbok was made from fabric passed down from her mother, who ran a fabric store in Seoul's Jongno district for decades. Kim Jung-sook's hanbok was dyed using traditional methods, and she carried a bag crafted using the traditional mother-of-pearl inlay technique.

After the dinner, she expressed her hope for greater everyday use of hanbok, emphasizing the need to revitalize the hanbok industry. A Blue House official remarked that her outfit concept symbolized the meeting of tradition and fashion, with blue representing trust and hope, creating a refined and substantial image.