Mrs. Kim, friendly relations with First Lady Turkiye... "Remembrance of the devotion of blood brothers"

On the 3rd, President Lee Jae-myung's spouse, Kim Hye-kyung, visited the War Memorial of Korea in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, and strengthened their friendship with Emine Erdogan, wife of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was on a state visit to Korea.

Mrs. Kim, wearing a red jeogori and a white hanbok skirt, as if considering the colors of the Turkiye flag, greeted Mrs. Erdogan with the Turkiye greeting, which means ‘welcome.’

Mrs. Kim introduced Turkye photographer Izzet Keriva, who was present, saying, "In 1956, a 20-year-old young man from Turkiye took pictures of Koreans with a camera. That young man is the photographer who is here."

Mrs. Kim mentioned the Korean children in the photo taken by photographer Keriva at the time and emphasized, "The children who grew up like that did not forget the friends who stood by them during the most difficult times," and added, "They vividly remembered the noble sacrifice and brilliant dedication of the Turkic veterans who ran for peace in a distant country whose names were unfamiliar to them."

He continued, "When a major earthquake occurred in Türkiye, the reason the Korean people were heartbroken and willingly reached out was because the gratitude of being 'blood brothers' was clearly engraved in their hearts and minds," and added, "I hope that the stories we will share together can add precious memories to the friendship between the two countries."

After exchanging greetings with Mrs. Kim, Mrs. Erdogan replied, "I visited Korea, a brother country," and added, "Turkye and South Korea are countries that have shared a special history of friendship, and are always connected as one."

Referring to the Turkic soldiers who participated in the Korean War, he emphasized, "The most precious legacy they left behind is the brotherhood they left behind in blood, and we must ensure that it is vividly preserved in the memory of humanity."

He also said, "I am pleased to see the growing interest in Korean culture in Turkye," and added, "Cultural and artistic exchanges are a valuable opportunity to deepen the relationship between the two countries, and Ms. Kim, who is a great pianist, will deeply agree with my thoughts."

Mrs. Kim and Mrs. Erdogan listened to the Arirang performance and watched a video about veterans of the Korean War, and then looked around the photography works of artist Keriba together.