First Lady Kim Keon Hee (right) on May 21 has luncheon with her Japanese counterpart Kishida Yuko, the spouse of the Prime Minister of Japan Kishida Fumio, at a restaurant in Hiroshima, Japan.

First Lady Kim Keon Hee on May 21 attended a luncheon with her Japanese counterpart Kishida Yuko in Hiroshima, Japan.

"First Lady Kim and Japanese First Lady Kishida had okonomiyaki (Japanese pancakes) and discussed various topics such as the social dinner on the day before of the G7 (Group of 7) summit, the culinary cultures of both nations, family and companion animals, health and hobbies," presidential spokesperson Lee Do Woon said that day in a news release.

The luncheon was at a restaurant in Hiroshima.

Earlier on May 7 in Seoul, First Lady Kim expressed her excitement over okonomiyaki at the dinner between the leaders of Korea and Japan at the official residence of the president in Seoul.

The Office of the President said the Prime Minister's spouse remembered this and set up the luncheon.

"Within just two months since March, the leaders of Korea and Japan have met face to face at home and abroad three times," First Lady Kim said. "As we have met often and shared our feelings, I hope that the people of the two countries interact more closely."

In response, the Japanese first lady suggested more frequent mutual visits and interactions.

Before the luncheon, First Lady Kim took part in the G7 Summit Partners' Program at Hiroshima's Shukkeien Garden.

First Lady Kim looked around the garden and got to know the others, sharing thoughts on her their visit to Hiroshima and the culture of each participating country.

First Lady Kim Keon Hee (right) on May 21 meets with her German counterpart Britta Ernst, spouse of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, at the Office of the President in Seoul.

Later on the evening of May 21, First Lady Kim held talks with her German counterpart Britta Ernst, spouse of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, at the Office of the President in Seoul during the chancellor's official visit to Korea.

Welcoming the German first lady's first visit to Korea, First Lady Kim said, "Your visit to Korea is all the more meaningful on the 140th anniversary of Korean-German exchange and 60th anniversary of Korea's dispatch of mine workers to Germany."

When First Lady Ernst said she visited the Demilitarized Zone, First Lady Kim said, "This place vividly shows the reality of the division of the Korean Peninsula," lauding Germany for overcoming its pain of division and eventually reunifying.

Turning to bilateral talks on the return of cultural properties, First Lady Kim said, "I hope for concrete cooperation between professional institutions of both countries, such as joint research on the sources of Korean cultural heritage in the possession of German museums."

First Lady Ernst said Berlin is paying attention to cultural properties and agreed to continue consultations.

The first ladies expressed their hopes for further development of amicable bilateral ties through a wide range of cultural exchange, the spokesperson said.

First Lady Kim hoped that First Lady Ernst fully enjoys Korean cuisine and culture during her short stay in Korea. Her German counterpart responded by thanking the Korean government's hospitality and said she will experience diverse aspects of Korea.

korea.net