Mrs. Kim Hye-kyung Makes Kimchi with Ambassadors' Spouses: "Kimjang Is a UNESCO Heritage"

Mrs. Kim Hosts Kimjang Event for Spouses of Ambassadors on December 9
"President's Favorite Kimchi Is Baek-kimchi"

Mrs. Kim Hye-kyung is explaining about kimchi at the Kimchi Making Event for Spouses of Ambassadors to Korea held on the 9th at Eum, a Korean traditional food culture space in Bukchon, Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

On December 9, Mrs. Kim Hye-kyung held a kimchi-making event with the spouses of ambassadors to Korea to promote "K-Food." Mrs. Kim personally made baechu-kimchi (napa cabbage kimchi) with the participants and highlighted that "kimjang is recognized as a UNESCO cultural heritage."

Mrs. Kim attended the kimchi-making event for the spouses of ambassadors to Korea, held at Eum, a Korean Food Culture Space in Bukchon, Jongno-gu, Seoul. This event was organized to widely promote the Korean kimjang culture to the world amidst the global K-Food trend. The event was attended by kimchi master Lee Ha-yeon and the spouses of ambassadors from 11 countries, including Japan and France.

Arriving in a white headscarf and blue apron, Mrs. Kim explained, "It is not kimchi, but kimjang that has been registered as a UNESCO cultural heritage. While kimchi is simply something to eat, kimjang is a culture where families come together and make it like a festival in the neighborhood." She added, "It would be wonderful for all of you to experience our kimjang, which is made with different ingredients and skills in every household."

During the tasting event held immediately after the kimchi-making, Mrs. Kim personally explained various types of kimchi, such as gat-kimchi (mustard leaf kimchi) and pa-kimchi (green onion kimchi). In particular, Mrs. Kim noted, "Baek-kimchi (white kimchi) is my husband, the President's, favorite kimchi. It does not contain chili powder and has a refreshing taste, so it may seem easy to make, but it is actually difficult. However, it is easy for children and foreigners to try, which is a great advantage."

She also remarked, "Kimchi is not just a side dish, but the taste differs depending on the process, as it is made by many people working together in Korea. I hope that people from various cultures can come together and mature together, just like kimchi."