First Lady Kim Hye-kyung Visits Convent with Brigitte Macron and Meets Korean Nuns

First Lady Kim Hye-kyung, wife of President Lee Jae-myung, visited a convent alongside French First Lady Brigitte Macron on the 7th (local time), according to Cheong Wa Dae Deputy Spokesperson Ahn Gui-ryung in a written briefing.

The location visited by First Lady Kim that day was the convent of the Dominican Sisters of the Holy Family in Saint-Paul-de-Vence in southern France, a community that has cared for and educated children in need since the 19th century.

Out of the eight nuns currently at the convent, six are South Korean, including Mother Superior Sister Kim Kyung-hee.

Guided by the nuns, the two first ladies toured the facility and listened to stories about how the nuns left South Korea to settle in France, their ongoing activities, and their daily life in the convent.

First Lady Kim remarked, "This is a beautiful example of how people-to-people exchanges can lead to deep and enduring ties," adding, "I express my profound respect for their lives of caring for neighbors in an unfamiliar land and being part of the local community for over 40 years."

First Lady Macron also shared her impressions, saying, "The story of the nuns from South Korea putting down roots here and spending a long time together with the French local community was deeply impressive," and adding, "I am delighted to visit this special place and converse alongside First Lady Kim."

The two first ladies agreed that the trust and friendship built in daily life by individuals from various countries serve as a foundation that makes bilateral relations deeper and stronger.

This meeting marks the fourth time this year that First Lady Kim and First Lady Macron have met.

Previously, they met and interacted on the occasions of French President Emmanuel Macron's state visit in April, the Group of 7 (G7) Summit in France in June, and the NATO summit in Türkiye in July.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.