First Lady Kim Geon-hee Visits National Gallery of Canada with Mrs. Trudeau... Focused on 'Quiet Support'

Unlike NATO Tour, Minimizing Personal Public Schedule... Visiting Veterans' Medical Care Hospital to Express Gratitude

First Lady Kim Keon-hee, wife of President Yoon Suk-yeol, visited the National Gallery of Canada on the 23rd (local time) at the invitation of the wife of the Canadian Prime Minister (Mrs. Trudeau). /

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] On the afternoon of the 23rd (local time), First Lady Kim Keon-hee visited the National Gallery of Canada upon the invitation of Mrs. Trudeau, the wife of the Canadian Prime Minister. During the 5-night, 7-day tour of the UK, the US, and Canada, Mrs. Kim publicly attended only couple events such as the Korean community meeting, minimizing her personal public schedule and focusing on 'quiet support.'

On this day, after viewing works by a group of Canadian landscape painters with Mrs. Trudeau at the National Gallery, Mrs. Kim said, "Canada's vast territory is reflected in the diverse landscapes depicted in the paintings. It would be nice to exhibit Korean ink wash landscape paintings that simply capture our country's mountain ranges here." A gallery official responded on site, "Since next year marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Canada, we will consider exhibition cooperation with Korea on this occasion."

At the Indigenous art exhibition hall, when an official explained, "We are displaying non-Indigenous and Indigenous works side by side," Mrs. Kim said, "The atmosphere in Canada, which respects the 'authentic appearance' without forcibly trying to blend diverse cultures, is attractive."

As Mrs. Kim left the gallery, she greeted Mrs. Trudeau, saying, "Please feel free to contact me anytime," and Mrs. Trudeau expressed regret, saying, "I felt a heartfelt intimacy."

Following the gallery visit, Mrs. Kim visited a veterans' nursing hospital and met Nursing Officer Jessie Shenevert, who participated in the Korean War. Officer Shenevert, who is 100 years old this year, enlisted as a nurse following her brother who fought in the Korean War, served at a field hospital in Uijeongbu from 1951, and retired as a nursing officer in 1976. At this meeting, Mrs. Kim said, "I heard that there is a female nursing officer who fought for the freedom of the Republic of Korea, and out of gratitude, I came to visit like this," adding, "I sincerely hope you live a long and healthy life and visit Korea again to see with your own eyes how much the Republic of Korea you protected has changed."

Earlier, Mrs. Kim also visited the 'Veterans Home' in New Jersey while in New York, USA. Opened in 1986, the 'Veterans Home' is a nursing facility for veterans and their families, housing about 40 people including Korean War veterans. Meeting the veterans, Mrs. Kim said, "My grandfather was also a Korean War veteran like you," and expressed gratitude, saying, "Korea has developed a lot to the extent that you can be proud. Everything is thanks to your dedication and courage."