Japarova visits Seoul for Korea-Central Asia Summit, pledging to expand welfare exchanges for vulnerable groups

President Lee Jae Myung and first lady Kim Hye-kyung pose for a photo with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and first lady Aigul Japarova at Cheong Wa Dae on Wednesday, during the couple's visit to Seoul for the Korea-Central Asia Summit. From left: Japarova, Japarov, Lee and Kim. [Yonhap]
President Lee Jae Myung and first lady Kim Hye-kyung pose for a photo with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and first lady Aigul Japarova at Cheong Wa Dae on Wednesday, during the couple's visit to Seoul for the Korea-Central Asia Summit. From left: Japarova, Japarov, Lee and Kim. [Yonhap]

Kim Hye-kyung, the wife of President Lee Jae Myung, met Wednesday with Aigul Japarova, the first lady of Kyrgyzstan, who is visiting Seoul alongside President Sadyr Japarov, strengthening ties between the two countries across social welfare, the natural environment and traditional dress.

Deputy Cheong Wa Dae Spokesperson An Gwi-ryeong said in a written briefing that day that Kim and Japarova held wide-ranging talks covering welfare, the natural environment and traditional culture. Kim opened the meeting by saying she was "very glad to meet in person on the meaningful occasion of the first Korea-Central Asia Summit," while Japarova said she hoped "this visit will serve as an opportunity for the friendship between South Korea and Kyrgyzstan to grow even stronger."

The two first ladies began by discussing welfare exchanges for vulnerable groups. Kim said she was aware that Japarova had "consistently worked in the welfare field, personally looking after children and families in need," and expressed admiration for her efforts. Japarova introduced her work through the "Pillar of Mother and Child" foundation, which supports children, women and vulnerable populations, and said she had "great interest in the experience South Korea has accumulated in areas such as healthcare and welfare." Kim said the desire for children and families to live happy lives "is the same in every country," adding that she hoped the two nations could "broaden exchanges that benefit people's lives by sharing their experiences with each other."

The conversation also turned to the natural environment and shared sensibilities. Japarova described Kyrgyzstan's nomadic culture on high-altitude grasslands and said she had heard that "a significant portion of South Korea is also mountainous," adding that mountains "are deeply embedded in everyday life and culture" in Kyrgyzstan as well, making the two countries feel alike. "Seeing the scenery here in person makes it feel even more familiar and similar," she said. Kim noted that Kyrgyzstan is known as the "Switzerland of Central Asia" and mentioned South Korean mountains including Seoraksan, Jirisan and Hallasan, saying the two countries share "a sensibility of staying close to nature and drawing strength from it." When Japarova extended an invitation to visit Kyrgyzstan, Kim said she would "love to go and experience its beautiful nature firsthand if the opportunity arises."

The two also found common cultural ground through traditional dress. When Japarova admired Kim's hanbok, calling it "very beautiful," Kim explained that she had chosen a red skirt to match the red of the Kyrgyz national flag "as a way of welcoming" her guest. She added that she was also contributing to efforts "to share the value of hanbok with the world and to have hanbok culture inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list."

Kim spoke of the popularity of hanbok experiences at historic palaces and suggested that "next time, it would be wonderful if we could put on hanbok together and walk through Gyeongbokgung and take photos." Japarova smiled and replied that she would "absolutely love to do that."

Closing the meeting, Kim said she was "deeply impressed by the strength and dedication" Japarova had shown as "a steadfast partner and pillar" to President Japarov over the years, and expressed hope that "exchanges that bring the hearts of our two peoples closer together will continue, just like the warm conversation we shared today."


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