Deputy Spokesperson Ahn Gyu-ryeong announced in a written briefing that Kim, accompanying President Lee Jae-myung on his European tour, engaged in a friendly meeting with Laura at the Quirinal Palace. Laura has been fulfilling the role of First Lady since her mother passed away, following President Mattarella's inauguration in 2015.
During their visit, Kim and Laura toured key areas of the Quirinal Palace, discussing its cultural and artistic significance.
Kim expressed her appreciation for the modern art exhibitions held at the historic palace since 2019, stating, "It feels like a space where the past and present communicate, akin to encountering an open book that reveals the flow of history."
She also noted, "The Italian music, art, and architecture that Koreans cherish are vital assets connecting our peoples. Given Korea's rich history and culture, I hope we can expand cooperation in areas such as museum exchanges and cultural heritage preservation and restoration."
In response, Laura remarked, "I am well aware of Korea's cultural heritage. If our two countries actively exchange experiences and ideas in the field of culture and arts, meaningful collaboration can be achieved."
As their meeting concluded, Kim recalled Laura's visit to Korea during President Mattarella's state visit in 2023, expressing her desire to showcase more diverse aspects of Korean culture and arts during a future visit to Italy.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.