Kim Yeo-sa Solo Schedule: 4 Events in UAE, 2 in Switzerland
Active Presidential and Royal Family Engagements and Cultural-Arts Exchange
[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] First Lady Kim Keon-hee, who accompanied President Yoon Suk-yeol on his Swiss tour, visited the Alberto Giacometti Foundation in Zurich on the 19th (local time). With this, First Lady Kim completed a total of six solo schedules during the joint tours of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Switzerland with President Yoon Suk-yeol.
On that day, First Lady Kim had a conversation with Alexander Zolz, chairman of the Alberto Giacometti Foundation, and other officials, and appreciated the artworks at the Zurich Museum of Art where the foundation is located, according to Kim Eun-hye, the chief public relations officer.
Giacometti, a famous Swiss sculptor, was the subject of the 'Alberto Giacometti Korea Special Exhibition' held in Seoul from 2017 to 2018, which First Lady Kim planned, with the Giacometti Foundation also participating in the exhibition. First Lady Kim engaged in discussions with Alexander Zolz and other foundation officials about Giacometti-related projects planned by the foundation. Chairman Zolz expressed hope that another Giacometti exhibition would be held in Korea.
President Yoon Suk-yeol and First Lady Kim Keon-hee, who visited Switzerland, visited the Zurich Art Museum, home to the Alberto Giacometti Foundation, on the 19th (local time). [Image source=Yonhap News]
During the 6 nights and 8 days UAE-Switzerland tour starting on the 14th, First Lady Kim completed six schedules composed of social and cultural exchange activities without President Yoon.
As an important solo schedule in the UAE, on the 15th, First Lady Kim attended a dinner at the UAE Sea Palace at the invitation of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Al Ketbi, mother of Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE president, who is known as the 'Mother of the Nation' in the UAE. It is known that Sheikha Fatima and First Lady Kim formed a special bond through humanistic conversations.
During a visit to the Al Watan Presidential Palace in the UAE, in a conversation with Minister of Culture and Youth Al Kaabi, who played the role of 'honorary escort,' First Lady Kim expressed her hope that Korean cultural content would expand from books to movies and dramas, and asked for interest in the Seoul International Book Fair scheduled for June this year. Minister Al Kaabi responded that he would definitely try to attend the Seoul International Book Fair, and if his visit is realized, it is expected to help the entry of domestic publications into the Middle East.
After traveling from Abu Dhabi to Dubai with President Yoon, First Lady Kim had a conversation with Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed Al Maktoum at the Dubai Future Museum on the 17th. Sheikha Latifa is the daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai and UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, and leads cultural and artistic policies as the head of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority. First Lady Kim also mentioned, "I hope opportunities will be created for Korea and Dubai to open the future together and develop through various cultural exchanges."
First Lady Kim Keon-hee, who is on a state visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with President Yoon Suk-yeol, is seen signing the guestbook at the library inside the Abu Dhabi Presidential Palace on the 15th (local time). [Image source=Yonhap News]
First Lady Kim Keon-hee, who is on a state visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with President Yoon Suk-yeol, is inspecting the Dubai Future Museum on the 17th (local time) with Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed Al Maktoum, daughter of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Before the conversation, First Lady Kim visited AgroTech, a local smart farm company in Dubai, touched the soil of the tomato cultivation facility, and tasted the tomatoes being grown.
On the 18th, First Lady Kim attended the 'Artist Leaders' event hosted by Mrs. Hilde Schwab, wife of Klaus Schwab, chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF), at the WEF Annual Meeting (Davos Forum) held in Davos, Switzerland. Meeting artists from various fields worldwide, First Lady Kim said, "I believe artists like you are revolutionaries who change the world," and invited them to Korea.
First Lady Kim, who previously advocated a 'quiet support' role, is evaluated to be showing active steps in domestic and international activities this year. At the end of last year, she had 17 official appearances, and this year she has made six public appearances domestically. In particular, on the 12th, she visited Seomun Market in Daegu, known as a stronghold of conservatism, to encourage traditional market merchants.
She is also showing differences on the diplomatic stage. During the Southeast Asia tour last November, except for the G20 spouses program held in Bali, Indonesia, she carried out schedules such as visiting a hospital built by Koreans in Cambodia, visiting children with heart disease, and meeting with environmental activists. However, on this tour, she spent time with the families of the UAE president and prime minister, building friendships while actively engaging in cultural exchanges.
This appears to strongly reflect President Yoon's intentions. In a New Year's interview with the Chosun Ilbo released on the 2nd, regarding First Lady Kim's role, President Yoon said, "After taking office, I realized that the spouse also has quite a few things to do," and added, "The president cannot do everything to care for neighbors in need."
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