First Lady Kim Hyekyung Meets Korean Canadians in Canada: "It Must Have Been Difficult Worrying About Your Homeland" (Comprehensive)

First Lady Kim Visits Calgary Korean Community Center
"I Feel That Your Longing for Your Homeland Is Much Stronger Than Ours"

On June 17 (local time), First Lady Kim Hye-kyung, who is visiting Canada with President Lee Jae-myung on the occasion of the G7 Summit, met with representatives of major Korean community organizations and next-generation Korean Canadians at the Calgary Korean Community Center. During the meeting, she listened to the community's opinions on various fields such as education and culture, and expressed her gratitude and encouragement for their dedication and efforts.

Yonhap News

The event was attended by about 20 Korean Canadians who are actively involved in various fields in Western Canada, including leaders of local Korean associations, women's and cultural organizations, principals of Korean language schools, university professors, and international students. The participants introduced the Korean community in Western Canada and shared their personal experiences of living locally, creating a sense of empathy. In particular, international students and faculty specializing in artificial intelligence (AI) from Edmonton and Calgary in Alberta, where three of Canada's major AI research institutes are located, shared their views on the trends and future directions of the AI industry.

At the meeting, First Lady Kim said, "I have found that overseas Koreans are often more informed about news from Korea than we are. Even though you live far away, your longing for your homeland seems even stronger than ours who live in Korea." She added, "I hope today's gathering will be an open forum for you to share your honest hopes for your homeland," encouraging the participants.

The Calgary Korean Community Center, which First Lady Kim visited that day, was established in 2010 with donations from the Korean community and serves as a central gathering place for Koreans in the region. Local community organizations run a variety of programs at the center, including library operations, art, writing, and jiu-jitsu classes, contributing to the exchange and development of the Korean community.

In his welcoming remarks, Choi Jin-young, President of the Calgary Korean Association, said, "Just having the First Lady here is a great source of comfort and encouragement for fellow Koreans who live with the loneliness and hardships of immigrant life. I believe today's meeting will be an unforgettable encouragement for the community."

First Lady Kim listened to each attendee's thoughts and said, "I was once again reminded of how challenging it is to live proudly and confidently as a Korean in a foreign land so far from home." She continued, "I will pay close attention and think more deeply so that you can carry out your activities with greater peace of mind and enthusiasm."

Meanwhile, upon hearing news of First Lady Kim's visit to the Calgary Korean Community Center, Korean Canadians gathered at the center from early in the morning, waving Korean flags and presenting bouquets to welcome her. Some community members stayed at the center until the event ended and saw her off as she departed. After the event, First Lady Kim wrote in the guestbook, "We will build a proud homeland together, one that our compatriots can be proud of."

Additionally, First Lady Kim visited a Korean restaurant in Calgary that has been run by a Korean Canadian for 13 years, where she had lunch with about 20 community members and her entourage. Upon entering the restaurant, she greeted surprised Koreans and took photos with each of them. One diner, who had come all the way from Toronto after hearing about President Lee's visit to Calgary, said, "I took time off from work and came to Calgary without any plans, and I am so happy to meet you like this." First Lady Kim replied, "What if we hadn't met here?" expressing her gratitude for the long journey and sharing in the joy of the encounter. She also greeted and took commemorative photos with other community members who came to the restaurant after hearing about her visit.