"Please Support Our Designers' Expansion to Paris," Mrs. Kim Asked... Mrs. Macron's Response

Mrs. Kim's Phone Call with Mrs. Macron

First Lady Kim Geon-hee requested during a phone call on the 24th (local time) with Brigitte Macron, wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, to "show interest in Korean designers' entry into Paris Fashion Week."

[Photo by Joint Coverage] [Image Source=Yonhap News]

Kim Tae-hyo, the First Deputy Director of the National Security Office, conveyed the details of the call between the two first ladies at a press center set up in Paris that afternoon.

The call took place in the context of the summit meeting between President Yoon and President Macron.

First Lady Kim expressed her gratitude for the pet gifts received during the Korea-France summit between President Yoon and President Emmanuel Macron earlier that morning.

Mrs. Macron welcomed the visit of President Yoon and his wife to France and expressed regret at not being able to meet in person.

First Lady Kim requested, "Please show interest in Korean designers' entry into Paris Fashion Week," to which Mrs. Macron responded, "Let's communicate closely. Please feel free to contact me directly anytime."

Earlier, during her visit to France in June, First Lady Kim had a friendly luncheon with Mrs. Macron, seeking advice regarding Korean young designers' entry into the global stage. Mrs. Macron said she would consider ways to introduce Korean designers at various events held in France.

During the call, the two first ladies also discussed an exhibition of American painter Mark Rothko. Mrs. Macron said, "I clearly remember that First Lady Kim planned an exhibition of about 50 works by Mark Rothko in 2015."

President Yoon Suk-yeol is visiting Paris to promote the bid for the Busan Expo. On the 24th, he held a breakfast meeting and summit with French President Emmanuel Macron. President Yoon will continue his final campaign for the bid until the 25th, engaging with representatives of the International Bureau of Expositions (BIE) in Paris.

The host city for the 2030 Expo will be decided by anonymous voting of 182 member countries at the BIE General Assembly on the 28th.