First lady Kim Jung-sook (fourth from left) talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his wife before attending the official dinner at the Peace House in Panmunjeom on April 27. (2018 Inter-Korean Summit Press Corps)
By Yoon Sojung
“I felt so much honesty today. I’m so relieved to have the belief that we can now look toward the front and move forward,” said first lady Kim Jung-sook.
“I’m so happy that we all have the same hope of wishing good luck for our spouses,” said Ri Sol Ju, wife of Kim Jong Un, chairman of the State Affairs Committee in North Korea.
This was all part of the conversation shared between the two first ladies, as unveiled by Cheong Wa Dae on April 29.
Another issue of interest in the latest Inter-Korean Summit was the meeting between the South and North Korean first ladies that took place apart from the meeting and the declaration between the South and North Korean leaders.
The meeting of the two first ladies garnered a lot of attention even among international media outlets, as many journalists who gathered at the main press center at the KINTEX convention center to cover the summit asked repeatedly about them on the summit day.
First lady Kim arrived at the Peace House around 6 p.m. About 20 minutes later, Ri Sol Ju arrived at the venue, and the two first ladies met for the first time.
As Kim and Ri entered the Peace House, President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un greeted them and the moment of their historic first meeting was aired live around the world.
First lady Kim greeted Chairman Kim, saying that, “I saw you two chatting on the Footbridge and it looked so peaceful that it seemed like it would bring only prosperity in the future,” she said.
“I heard you paid a lot of attention to the minute details concerning preparations at the Peace House and I’m ashamed to be here, as I didn’t do anything for the meeting today,” said Ri, expressing her gratitude.
The South and North Korean leaders and their spouses walk together to the farewell performance venue in Panmunjeom on April 27. (2018 Inter-Korean Summit Press Corps)
Both the South and North Korean first couples enjoyed the official dinner in a friendly atmosphere and became closer to each other.
President Moon delivered his welcoming speech by saying that, “Today we have a new start for peace on the Korean Peninsula and across the whole world.”
“For the day when the South and the North can travel along freely,” said President Moon, offering a toast.
“If we walk together, firmly hand-in-hand, I’m certain that we’ll be able to have a great outcome,” said Chairman Kim.
“When we have one united mind and power, we can face any kind of challenge and achieve victory,” said Kim.
After the dinner, the two first couples moved to the farewell performance venue outside the Peace House at 8:30 p.m. They appreciated the farewell performance, composed of a video show with the theme of “One Spring” on the outer wall of the Peace House, and then a joint orchestra that performed “Arirang,” accompanied by traditional Korean musical instruments.
When the farewell performance ended, President Moon and first lady Kim shook hands with the North Korean first couple and other North Korean participants, promising to meet again.
First lady Kim Jung-sook embraces the wife of the North Korean leader, Ri Sol Ju, before the North Korean first couple leaves the venue after the farewell performance in Panmunjeom on April 27. (Hyoja-dong Studio)
arete@korea.kr
