Yoon's First Schedule in Switzerland is a 'Meeting with Korean Residents'... First Lady Kim Focuses on 'Cultural Exchange'

Yoon "Cooperation in Advanced Science and Technology with Leading Tech Nations"
First Lady Kim Geon-hee Also Attends Korean Community Meeting
Mrs. Kim Holds Solo 'Cultural Exchange' Schedule at Every Overseas Visit

[Zurich=Asia Economy reporters Baek Kyunghwan and Lee Gimin] President Yoon Suk-yeol stated, "We will strongly seek advanced scientific and technological cooperation with leading technology countries."

On the 17th (local time), President Yoon arrived in Zurich, Switzerland, and met with local compatriots as his first schedule, saying, "We will do our best to ensure that Korea's new leap forward brings tangible benefits to our compatriots."

At this event, President Yoon expressed his intention to strengthen exchanges between the two countries. He said, "This year marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Switzerland," adding, "Based on the trust and cooperation built over the years, we will strive even harder toward the next 60 years."

He especially emphasized cooperation in science and technology. President Yoon said, "In this era of scientific and technological competition, we will strongly seek advanced scientific and technological cooperation with technology-leading countries like Switzerland that share universal values with us." During his visit to Switzerland, President Yoon arranged a meeting at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich to exchange views with scholars on quantum technology.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding the Swiss Korean community, he said, "It already boasts a history of over 100 years," noting, "In 1919, an anonymous Korean raised the banner of Korean independence in Europe through an article in a Swiss daily newspaper." He added, "Since dispatching a delegation to the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission in 1953, Switzerland has been striving for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," and "Trade with Switzerland is reaching record highs every year. There are increasing new opportunities for cooperation in future industries such as pharmaceuticals and bio sectors."

He also mentioned the case of former President Syngman Rhee, who visited Geneva in 1933 to appeal for Korean independence to the international community. President Yoon said, "Lee Han-ho, a disciple of President Rhee, devoted himself to the independence of the homeland in Switzerland and left a significant mark on sports exchanges between the two countries," and expressed deep gratitude, saying, "We sincerely thank the compatriots for their great interest and support during the repatriation of Lee Han-ho's remains to Korea last November."

Meanwhile, President Yoon attended the compatriot meeting together with First Lady Kim Keon-hee. Since her visit to Spain last year, Mrs. Kim has participated in compatriot meetings at every overseas trip and also independently manages 'cultural exchange' schedules. During the recent United Arab Emirates (UAE) visit, on the 15th, she discussed the international book fairs held in Korea and the UAE with Minister of Culture and Youth Al Kaabi at the library of Al Watan Presidential Palace.

On the last day, the 17th, she took time to visit the Dubai Future Museum and had a cordial meeting with Princess Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed Al Maktoum. At this meeting, she mentioned that Korea had not yet participated as a guest country in future-oriented projects such as art fairs, book fairs, and Dubai Design Week, and urged, "I hope opportunities will be created for Korea and Dubai to open the future together and develop through diverse cultural exchanges."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Mrs. Kim not only participated this time but also visited the Korean Cultural Center in Spain’s Madrid in June last year during the NATO summit schedule, encouraging staff holding a K-fashion exhibition. She also built friendships with spouses of world leaders by visiting San Ildefonso Palace, the nearby Royal Glass Factory, and the National Museum of Sofia through the spouses’ program of the summit.

During her visit to Canada in September last year for the UN General Assembly, Mrs. Kim viewed artworks at the National Gallery with Sophie Gr?goire Trudeau, wife of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

During the Southeast Asia trip, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where the ASEAN summit was held, she visited a hospital founded by Koreans and a child with heart disease named 'Rota' without a separate spouses’ program or cultural experience. However, in Bali, Indonesia, where the G20 summit was held, she participated in a cultural experience hosted by Iriana, wife of Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

Mrs. Kim is as interested in 'eco-friendliness' as in cultural exchange. In Madrid, she visited the upcycling store Ecoalf and explored the possibilities of a 'sustainable fashion industry.' During her Bali visit, she met with youth activist sisters Wizen, who are engaged in environmental movements at Ustopia. Notably, she attracted attention by carrying a bag from a domestic upcycling fashion brand she had encountered during the previous Southeast Asia trip, also during this UAE visit.