First lady discusses cultural exchange with UAE chief

Author: Li Haiya

ZURICH, Switzerland, Jan. 17 (Yonhap News Agency) – First lady Kim Geun-hee met with a United Arab Emirates chief on Tuesday and discussed cultural exchanges between the two countries, the presidential office said.

Sheiks are female members of Arab ruling families, according to the office.

Kim Jong Un met with Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammad Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Arts and Culture Authority, at the Dubai Museum of the Future while accompanying President Yoon Hee-yeol on his state visit to the UAE. The sheikh is the daughter of UAE Vice President Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Kim noted that South Korea has yet to participate in Dubai Design Week or other art and book fairs as the country of honor, and said she hopes South Korea and Dubai will have the opportunity to “open up the future and development together through various cultural exchanges,” said Kim Eun-hye, senior presidential press secretary at the stated in the written briefing.

The chief also expressed his desire to continue cultural exchanges in various fields, the secretary said.

Kim mentioned the chief’s taekwondo skills and suggested that she visit South Korea at her convenience to experience the country’s culture and arts for herself.

The sheikh responded that she had not yet visited South Korea but hoped to do so in the future.

Earlier Tuesday, the first lady visited the headquarters of AgroTech, a South Korean smart farming company operating in Dubai, and sampled tomatoes grown on the farm.

“Food security is an important issue amidst the climate and environmental crises,” she said. “I’m proud that our business appears to be making a huge contribution to solving the global food crisis.”

Yoon and Kim then left Dubai for Zurich, Switzerland, the second leg of their trip between the two countries.

hague@yna.co.kr
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