[Gyeongju APEC] First Lady Kim Hye-kyung Meets Hanbok Designers: "Hanbok Is a Symbolic K-Culture Asset"

Kim Hye-kyung Holds Tea Meeting with Five Hanbok Designers

First Lady Kim Hye-kyung, wife of President Lee Jae-myung, met with hanbok designers in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, where the APEC Summit is being held, and emphasized, "Hanbok is one of our most representative and unique cultural assets, symbolizing K-culture."

Yonhap News Agency

According to a written briefing by Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Jeon Eun-soo on October 30, Mrs. Kim held a tea meeting with hanbok designers at Sumukdang in the National Gyeongju Museum in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province.

The tea meeting was attended by five hanbok designers, including Artistic Director Song Sun-min, who oversaw the hanbok fashion show as part of the APEC Spouse Program, Lee Hye-soon, CEO of Damyeon, Lee Hye-mi, CEO of Saimdang, Song Hye-mi, CEO of Seodamhwa, Park Sun-young, CEO of Nabi Hanbok, and Lee Ye-shim, CEO of Orimi.

Mrs. Kim shared that she has been actively promoting hanbok by participating in recent events such as the opening ceremony of 'Hanbok Culture Week' and the '#Hanbokhaeyo' hashtag campaign.

The designers explained their artistic visions and said they are striving to combine traditional beauty with modern sensibilities. They also suggested that reconsidering the terminology is necessary to widely promote the value of traditional hanbok, as terms like 'reformed hanbok,' 'daily hanbok,' and 'new hanbok' may give the impression that traditional hanbok is inconvenient or lacking.

One designer expressed the opinion that "while preserving the identity of hanbok, we should develop it in a way that adds new elements so that modern people can naturally enjoy it in their daily lives."

Mrs. Kim stated, "Just as a large tree needs a strong foundation and roots for meaningful change, it is fortunate that there are designers striving to preserve the most Korean aspects of hanbok, especially as people around the world nowadays prefer the most authentic Korean cuisine over fusion dishes."

The designers commented, "As you frequently wear traditional hanbok, public interest is increasing," and requested, "Please continue to promote the beauty of hanbok to the world."

Mrs. Kim replied, "Today as well, I plan to walk through Gyochon Village in Gyeongju wearing hanbok and greet citizens. I will continue to actively wear hanbok on official stages both at home and abroad to elevate the dignity of traditional Korean attire."