First Lady Kim Hye-kyung Attends Opening of 'KIAF·Frieze Seoul'... "The Most Korean Is the Most Global"

175 Galleries from Over 20 Countries Participate in KIAF Seoul
World-Class Artists and Galleries Gather for Asia's Largest Art Festival
First Lady Kim Hye-kyung Highlights the Global Rise of Korean Art

The presidential office announced that First Lady Kim Hye-kyung, wife of President Lee Jaemyung, attended the opening ceremony of 'KIAF·Frieze Seoul 2025,' Asia's largest art festival, on the morning of September 3.

Yonhap News Agency

Celebrating its 24th edition this year, KIAF Seoul is being held at COEX until September 7 and has been co-hosted with Frieze, one of the world's top three art fairs, for the fourth consecutive year. KIAF Seoul features 175 domestic and international galleries from over 20 countries, including works by prominent artists such as Braque, Yayoi Kusama, Park Sookeun, and Kim Whanki. Frieze Seoul features more than 120 domestic and international galleries.

First Lady Kim remarked, "As the status of K-Culture has risen significantly, the number of foreign visitors to museums and galleries across the country has greatly increased." She added, "The convergence of world-class galleries and talented artists creates a festival of art that will make Seoul an even more vibrant and attractive city," expressing her support for the opening of KIAF·Frieze Seoul.

First Lady Kim, together with KIAF Seoul Organizing Committee Chairman Koo Jayul, Korea Gallery Association President Lee Sunghoon, and Frieze Seoul CEO Simon Fox, personally viewed the works presented by leading domestic and international galleries. According to Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Jeon Eunsu, she also discussed the content of K-Pop Demon Hunters with representatives from overseas galleries while viewing their works, and expressed amazement at pieces utilizing AI technology.

While touring the event with other attendees, First Lady Kim stated, "There are many works infused with Korean aesthetics. The most Korean is the most global," and, according to the deputy spokesperson, she also listened to opinions regarding the global perspective on Korean art and strategies for the growth of the domestic art market.