First Lady Kim Hye-kyung Meets with Korean Wave Clubs at UAE Universities: "People-to-People Exchange Is Key"

About 10 Attendees, Including Members of Korean Wave Clubs from Three Universities and Winners of Korean Language Speaking Contests
Hanwoo Halal Beef Featured at Luncheon, with Braised Hanwoo and Hanwoo Bulgogi with Aged Kimchi Wraps Served

First Lady Kim Hye-kyung, who is visiting Abu Dhabi, UAE with President Lee Jaemyung, held a luncheon meeting with members of the "Korean Wave Club at UAE Universities" at a Korean restaurant in Abu Dhabi on the 18th (local time), according to Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Jeon Eunsu.

The luncheon was attended by about 10 people, including members of Korean Wave clubs from three universities who are actively engaged locally, as well as winners of Korean language speaking contests.

Yonhap News Agency

The president of the "Arirang Club" at United Arab Emirates University introduced the club as the first Korean Wave club in the UAE, founded in 2008, and said that since 2009, it has hosted an annual "Korea Day." The club organizes a variety of cultural events, including its own Korean language classes and Korean song contests. Notably, the club translated and published a collection of poems by poet Yun Dong-ju into Arabic, which was presented as a gift to Mrs. Kim on this day.

The president of the "Korean Club" at Zayed University explained that since the club's founding in 2008, it was selected as the best club at the university in 2009 and has held an annual "Korean Culture Festival." The club actively promotes Korean culture in the region in cooperation with organizations such as the Gwangju Cultural Foundation and the Korean Cultural Center. The president of the "Jjang Club" at Khalifa University explained that the club, established in 2008, organizes and operates experience booths based on Korean variety shows such as "Squid Game" and "Running Man," and introduces Korean culture through events in collaboration with the Korean Cultural Center.

Mrs. Kim told the attendees, "Cultural exchange may appear industrial or commercial, but at its core, it is about people-to-people exchange, which is the President's philosophy." She added, "If there is any support you need as the UAE and Korea engage in exchanges, please let us know at any time."

In response, the attendees actively expressed their affection and interest in Korea, offering a variety of opinions, such as: "I hope more festivals and events representing Korea will be held," "I wish there were more opportunities for youth exchanges between the two countries," "I hope the process for applying to Korean universities will be simpler and more accessible," "I hope on- and offline exchange programs will be expanded," and "The UAE frequently holds book fairs, and it would be great if Korea could participate more often."

Yonhap News Agency

In particular, one club member said, "I was deeply moved by the Korean drama 'When Life Gives You Tangerines.' The story, centered on family and neighbors, resonated with UAE culture, and after hearing the Jeju dialect, I also want to learn about Korean regional dialects."

Mrs. Kim expressed her gratitude, saying, "I am amazed by the passionate interest that UAE university students have in Korean culture." She continued, "I will do my best to promote Korean culture around the world together with you, and I hope you will stay with us until the end." The luncheon featured a Korean menu prepared with halal-certified ingredients. Dishes made with "Hanwoo Halal" beef, which recently became the first in the Middle East to receive export certification for the UAE, were actively used as the main dishes, including Hanwoo braised beef, Hanwoo bulgogi with aged kimchi wraps, and Hanwoo rice balls, accompanied by a soft tofu salad.