First lady introduces Korean culture to companions of APEC leaders

First lady Kim Hea Kyung (second from left) looks around Bulguksa, a Buddhist temple in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, with companions of leaders attending the APEC summit on Friday. (Yonhap)

As world leaders met in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province for the APEC summit, first lady Kim Hea Kyung visiting cultural landmarks with family members accompanying Asia-Pacific leaders Friday to showcase Korean culture.

On Friday morning, Kim joined the wives of five the leaders of five countries, Canada, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, for a visit to Bulguksa, a Buddhist temple built during the Silla Kingdom (57 BC-AD 935) that is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They were joined by the daughter of Taiwanese presidential adviser Lin Hsin-i.

According to the presidential office, the visit to Bulguksa was a symbolic gesture to connect diverse cultures and values into one, as the temple holds symbolic meaning as a historic attraction that connects the values of the past and present, as well as reality and ideals.

In front of the iconic Cheongungyo and Baegyungyo at Bulguksa, Kim presented the spouses with “bokjumeoni,” Korean fortune pouches that have surged in popularity due to their depiction in “KPop Demon Hunters.”

First lady Kim Hea Kyung (center) poses with companions of global leaders during the APEC 2025 Leaders’ Spouses Program at Bulguksa in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Friday. From left: Lin Wen-hsuan, daughter of Taiwan's senior presidential advisor Lin Hsin-i, Louise Araneta-Marcos of the Philippines, Diana Fox Carney of Canada, Kim, Amanda Luxon of New Zealand, Ruth Lui of Singapore, and Thinanon Niramit of Thailand. (Yonhap)

The two bridges in front of the main temple complex, considered masterpieces of Silla era craftmanship, symbolize the path connecting humans to the land of Buddha, echoing the hope that the event would serve as a “bridge connecting the hearts of all attendees,” according to the presidential office.

The group was also given a tour of the temple by the Bulguksa monks, who shared the philosophy and craftsmanship embedded in the pavilion and stone pagoda of the temple. They also took part in making dasik, or Korean traditional tea snacks, before taking part in a traditional tea ceremony.

“Through such activities, it offered an opportunity (for the companions) to experience cultural communication rooted in respect and consideration,” said deputy presidential spokesperson Jeon Eun-su.

First lady Kim Hea Kyung (right) engages in conversation with Diana Fox Carney, the wife of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, during a luncheon with companions of leaders attending the APEC summit on Friday. (Yonhap)

Aside from the tour of Bulguksa, the companions took part in a lunch based on Korean cuisine in the afternoon, watched cultural performances, and looked around an exhibition with artworks by the late artist Paik Nam-june.

A fashion show featuring hanbok, a type of Korean traditional clothing, was also held for the group. Kim, who has been promoting hanbok throughout the summit, was also quoted during her tea meeting with designers on Thursday, that she would wear the traditional dress “during official occasions in and out of the country” to elevate its global status.