First lady Kim Hea Kyung, accompanying President Lee Jae Myung on his trip to the United States for the UN General Assembly, spent time promoting the Korean cuisine and culture.
According to the presidential office, Kim joined 18 students from a Korean school program in Manhattan, New York, Wednesday (local time), where she prepared gimbap alongside the children. The event was designed not only to introduce the history and values of Korean cuisine, but also to encourage young Koreans living abroad to remain connected with their heritage. It also reflected the growing popularity of Korean food — especially gimbap — in the U.S.
Kim noted that the gathering was about more than cooking.
“I hope today’s experience was not just about making gimbap, but also about learning and appreciating the culture of Korean food,” she said.
First lady Kim Hea Kyung, fifth from right in the second row, poses for a commemorative photo with participants during a meeting with members of the UN’s Korean Cultural Society at a restaurant in New York, Wednesday (local time). Joint Press Corps
Earlier the same day, Kim held a luncheon meeting with members of the UN’s Korean Cultural Society, urging them to continue fostering interest and understanding of Korean culture within the United Nations. The society, formed in 2007 by UN Secretariat staff with a passion for Korea, has organized regular events showcasing Korean cuisine, traditional drinks, music, film, and crafts.
“These days, the charm of Korean culture resonates with people worldwide and has become a shared asset that many enjoy together. I feel proud of that,” Kim told them, expressing gratitude to the UN staff for their interests and enthusiasm into the Korean culture.
First lady Kim Hea Kyung, right, attends a meeting with next-generation artists at the Korean Cultural Center New York in New York, Thursday (local time). Yonhap
Concluding her engagements in New York, Kim visited the Korean Cultural Center New York on Thursday (local time), where she met with emerging Korean artists across various fields, including illusion art, opera, musical theater, and stand-up comedy—offering words of encouragement for their creative pursuits.
