President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung visited the 'Street of Seoul' in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, on the evening of July 9, engaging with local citizens and experiencing Korean culture in the area.
According to a written briefing by Deputy Spokesperson Ahn Gyu-ryeong, the Street of Seoul was established in 1995 to commemorate the sister city relationship between Seoul and Ulaanbaatar. It features Korean brand convenience stores and restaurants, showcasing various aspects of Korean culture.
A traditional Korean-style pavilion, 'Seouljeong,' stands as a symbol of friendship between the two countries.
Mongolian citizens warmly welcomed the presidential couple, greeting them in Korean with phrases like 'Hello,' 'Nice to meet you,' and 'Thank you.' The couple reciprocated by shaking hands and giving high-fives.
They paused in front of a Korean brand convenience store to observe the integration of Korean culture, expressing delight upon spotting signs in Korean, including one for 'pork.' They also met a Mongolian citizen who studied in Korea over 20 years ago, exchanging friendly greetings.
After visiting Seouljeong, the couple purchased and tasted kimbap, tteokbokki, and dumplings from nearby street vendors.
They remarked on the deliciousness of the food and inquired if Mongolians enjoy tteokbokki. The vendor responded that it is particularly popular among young people and noted that the dumplings are also a Korean product.
One Mongolian citizen they encountered wished them success in completing their state visit, while expatriates expressed their support with phrases like 'Stay strong,' 'Keep up the good work,' and 'We are with you.'
The couple also greeted tourists from China and Singapore during their visit.
They concluded their day with dinner at a Korean restaurant, 'Koraebul,' run by Mongolians, where they enjoyed tofu kimchi, grilled mackerel, and bibimbap.
Deputy Spokesperson Ahn stated, 'The surprise visit by President Lee and the First Lady allowed them to witness the long-standing exchanges between the two countries firsthand. It was a meaningful time to deepen friendship and trust through natural communication in the daily lives of the Mongolian people.'
* This article has been translated by AI.
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