First lady Kim Jung-sook and North Korean first lady Ri Sol Ju visit the Okryu Children’s Hospital, the largest general hospital for children in North Korea in Pyeongyang on Sept. 18. (Pyeongyang Press Corps)
By Pyeongyang Press Corps
First lady Kim Jung-sook, currently visiting the North Korean capital alongside President Moon Jae-in, and North Korean first lady Ri Sol Ju spent the first day looking around Pyeongyang and shared their passion for music. This is the first time for a North Korean first lady to officially host her South Korean counterpart in the history of inter-Korean summits.
Kim and Ri met again during the official welcome ceremony at Pyeongyang International Airport. This is their second encounter since the inter-Korean summit in April. The two first ladies embodied “soft diplomacy” as they spent time together while their husbands sat down for their historic summit.
During the third inter-Korean summit, the two first ladies visited the Okryu Children’s Hospital, the largest general hospital for children in North Korea. They looked around the hospital and encouraged the children there and their parents.
First lady Kim Jung-sook and North Korean first lady Ri Sol Ju head for an orchestra performance at the Kim Won-gyun Conservatory, North Korea’s top music college on Sept. 18. (Pyeongyang Press Corps)
After the visit, the two first ladies visited the Kim Won-gyun Conservatory, North Korea’s top music college. During the visit, they were accompanied by composer-producer Kim Hyung-suk, singer Ailee and rapper Zico, all part of the South Korean delegation.
Earlier in the day, Yoon Young-chan, senior secretary to President Moon Jae-in for public relations, told reporters during a press briefing at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in Seoul that, “Kim and Ri have a common background in that they both studied music.”
First lady Kim Jung-sook and North Korean first lady Ri Sol Ju watch an orchestra performance at the Kim Won-gyun Conservatory, North Korea’s top music college on Sept. 18. (Pyeongyang Press Corps)
In Pyeongyang, the two first ladies met with the principal of the music college, and then headed to see the orchestra. On the way there, walking across the college grounds, Kim commented on her surroundings. “I hope that our summit bears ripe autumn fruit, just like these.” Ri replied that, “I hope the summit turns out very well.”
On Sept. 19, Kim will visit the Mangyongdae School Children’s Palace alongside Ri, an after-school educational facility for young talent in the fields of art, music and sports.
