[Gyeongju APEC] First Lady Kim Hye-kyung Hosts Spouses' Event at Bulguksa... 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' Lucky Pouch Gift

Hot Packs in Lucky Pouches Presented to Spouses
Monks' Heritage Tour, Korean Cuisine and Tea Ceremony Experience

First Lady Kim Hye-kyung, wife of President Lee Jaemyung, hosted an event for the spouses of representatives from six economies at Bulguksa Temple, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in Korea.

Yonhap News Agency

According to a written briefing by Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Jeon Eunsu on the 31st, Mrs. Kim hosted the event at Bulguksa Temple in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, inviting the spouses from six economies. The attendees included Diana Fox Carney (Canada), Armand Luxon (New Zealand), Louise Araneta Marcos (Philippines), Luz Lui (Singapore), Lin Wenxuan (Taiwan), and Thananon Niramitr (Thailand).

On this day, Mrs. Kim welcomed the spouses while wearing a hanbok. When the guests complimented her, saying, "The attire is so beautiful," Mrs. Kim introduced it as "hanbok, Korea's traditional clothing."

During the event, Mrs. Kim presented the guests with traditional lucky pouches containing hot packs, inspired by the pouches featured in the Netflix animation "K-Pop Demon Hunters." She explained, "The golden character 'bok' (meaning fortune) on the pouch symbolizes happiness and good luck," and added, "I hope that from the moment you receive it, you will be blessed with good fortune." She continued, "I wish all of you continued happiness and luck."

Yonhap News Agency

The commemorative photo was taken with the guests holding the lucky pouches in front of Cheongungyo and Baegungyo, the iconic bridges of Bulguksa Temple. Afterwards, the group listened to the monks' explanations about the cultural heritage, participated in a Korean culinary experience making traditional snacks with soybeans as the main ingredient at Museoljeon, and enjoyed a tea ceremony with Ujeon green tea. The event was organized by monks from Jingwansa Temple in Seoul.

Mrs. Kim stated, "With every step on the stone terraces of Bulguksa, bridges are being built between past and present, East and West, and between people." She added, "I hope today's gathering will serve as a beautiful starting point for humanity to move toward coexistence, going beyond APEC."