Kennedy, Honorary Chairman of the US JFK Foundation, "I Really Wanted to Visit Hahoe Village" ... Conversation with Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongbuk

Gyeongbuk Governor Lee Cheol-woo held a conversation with Caroline Kennedy, Honorary Chairperson of the U.S. JFK Foundation (current U.S. Ambassador to Australia), who visited Hahoe Village on the 28th.

On that day, Governor Lee had lunch at Haknokjeongsa with Honorary Chairperson Kennedy and her spouse, the Chairman of the Pungsan Ryu Clan Association, the head descendant of Hahoe Village, and the Chairman of the Andong Medical Foundation.

Caroline Kennedy, Honorary Chairperson of the U.S. JFK Foundation (left), is having a conversation with Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongbuk Province (right).

During the lunch, warm compliments were exchanged about Korea's long history and outstanding natural environment, along with in-depth discussions on pressing issues such as the low birthrate problem in Gyeongbuk.

Honorary Chairperson Kennedy said, “Hahoe Village became famous after the visit of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom in 1999, and it was a place I had always wanted to visit.” She showed great interest and enthusiasm for traditional culture such as Korean cuisine and hanbok. She also expressed her gratitude to the residents who warmly welcomed her visit.

After finishing lunch, she toured major traditional houses including Chunghyodang, the ancestral home of Seoae Ryu Seong-ryong, and Yangjindang, as well as the outstanding scenery of Hahoe Village, experiencing the “Korea within Korea” before returning to Seoul.

Honorary Chairperson Kennedy’s visit to Hahoe Village was made possible by the invitation of Ryu Jin, CEO of Pungsan Group, with whom she has a longstanding friendship.

Honorary Chairperson Kennedy is the eldest daughter of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy and was appointed U.S. Ambassador to Australia in 2021. On the 27th, she presented the “Courageous People Award” trophy to President Yoon Suk-yeol at the Yongsan Presidential Office and then visited Hahoe Village the following day.

Gyeongbuk Governor Lee Cheol-woo said, “This was a great opportunity to promote Gyeongbuk’s traditional culture, and as part of local diplomacy, we will continue to foster valuable relationships with distinguished foreign dignitaries who visit our region.”