Request for Expo Support at Local Event in New York Starting from the 19th
First Lady Kim Keon-hee, who accompanied President Yoon Suk-yeol on his visit to New York, USA, is attending various local events to promote the significance of hosting the 2030 Busan World Expo and to request support for the bid. While President Yoon is holding bilateral talks with leaders from over 40 countries during his New York visit, actively pursuing the bid in a 'direct' manner, First Lady Kim is providing 'indirect' support.
Starting from the day after President Yoon's arrival in New York on the 19th (local time), she has been participating in various events held locally to promote the 2030 Busan Expo.
On the 19th, First Lady Kim cheered on Korean startup workers and small business owners at the 'Hangawi in New York' event held at Samsung 837 in Manhattan, New York. She introduced traditional Chuseok foods such as songpyeon and sujeonggwa to foreign journalists attending the event and gifted participants keychains inscribed with the 2030 Busan Expo bid slogan, 'Busan is ready.' It is well known that First Lady Kim personally participated in the design and production of these keychains.
At the event, she said, "The maritime city of Busan was the lifeline of the Korean economy and is like the mother of our economy," adding, "We want to share our experience of rising from ruins to develop the best digital advanced industries with the international community, thereby giving back the help we received when we were in hardship," requesting support.
Visiting the Busan-style food stall set up on site, First Lady Kim promoted, "Korea is a place where cultural originality and diversity coexist," and "Especially Busan is an attractive city with delicious food and friendly people who always welcome us."
On the 20th, she attended a reception hosted by Jill Biden, wife of U.S. President Joe Biden, at the Smithsonian Design Museum, where she had conversations with spouses of various world leaders. Afterwards, she watched the National Choir's performance of 'Hunminjeongeum' at David Geffen Hall in Lincoln Center, New York. Before the performance, at the reception, she met diplomats from the Philippines, C?te d'Ivoire, Singapore, Georgia, and others, explaining Korea's efforts to host the 2030 Busan Expo and asking for their interest and support.
On the 21st, First Lady Kim visited the international fashion fair 'Coterie New York' to support domestic designers, stating, "Young people around the world have a great affinity for Korea's diverse and free culture," and "As much, K-fashion, which embodies Korea's lifestyle, is also very popular." Although she did not directly mention the 2030 Busan Expo, her active promotion of K-culture is interpreted as an effort to raise interest in the 2030 Busan Expo.
In addition, she accompanied President Yoon to official events such as luncheons hosted by the president, engaging in spousal diplomacy to promote the Expo. On the 19th, following a luncheon with Nana Akufo-Addo, President of Ghana, and his spouse, and on the 21st, she hosted a luncheon inviting Santiago Pe?a, President of Paraguay, and his spouse, requesting their support for the 2030 Busan Expo.
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