Kim Hea-kyung, who is visiting China with President Lee Jae-myung, invited Chinese women leaders who serve as bridges in Korea-China relations and treated them to rice cake and dumpling soup.
On the 5th, at the small reception room of the residence of the Embassy of Korea in China, Ms. Kim invited nine Chinese women leaders and hosted a luncheon featuring rice cake and dumpling soup she prepared herself. Attendees included Wang Dan, vice dean of the School of Foreign Languages at Peking University and head of the Korean Peninsula Center; Zhao Sujing, chair of the China Welfare Fund for the Disabled; and Kang Shan, spouse of the Chinese ambassador to Korea.
Ms. Kim said, "In Korea, we eat rice cake soup for Seol. I heard that in China you also eat dumplings during holidays like the Spring Festival," and added, "So today I tried preparing rice cake and dumpling soup with both rice cakes and dumplings. Everyone here plays an excellent bridge role between China and our Republic of Korea, so we put meaning into making it."
While frying the egg garnish to top the rice cake and dumpling soup, Ms. Kim said, "Seeing how unusually well the egg is frying today, I think the relationship between China and the Republic of Korea will keep getting better," and added, "I hope that by sharing rice cake and dumpling soup—bringing together Korea's rice cake soup and China's dumplings—with all of you who have worked for friendly exchanges between Korea and China, this year will be peaceful and bountiful for everyone."
In response, Wang Dan, head of the Korean Peninsula Center, said, "Korea and China are geographically close and share many commonalities culturally. Many of us have drawn inspiration and strength from Korea's culture, art, music, and film," and added, "Today, that friendship has come to us as a taste fully captured on the table through the first lady's touch. This is not just a single lunch but a genuine affection that transcends language and borders."