On July 9, Kim Hye-kyung, the wife of South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, visited the Genghis Khan National Museum in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, accompanied by Bolorchechek, the wife of Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh.
According to a written briefing from Ahn Gyu-ryeong, deputy spokesperson for the Blue House, the Genghis Khan National Museum is a prominent cultural space symbolizing Mongolia's history and identity, showcasing over 10,000 artifacts from the Xiongnu period to the 20th century.
The museum has been collaborating with the National Museum of Korea, and the South Korean government supports its exhibition, education, and operational capacity through official development assistance (ODA). This collaboration has established the museum as a space demonstrating the achievements of cultural cooperation between the two countries.
During the visit, Kim expressed her gratitude for Bolorchechek's warm hospitality, stating, "I am very pleased to explore such a meaningful place representing Mongolia's history and culture together." In response, Bolorchechek said, "I am very happy to share Mongolia's history and culture, and I hope today’s schedule deepens the friendship between our two countries."
The two women toured various artifacts, photographs, and videos depicting Mongolia's history and eras, guided by the museum director. In the third-floor exhibition hall dedicated to ancient states, they examined artifacts from the Xiongnu period, including saddles, carpets, and jewelry. When the museum director mentioned efforts to have Xiongnu heritage recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Kim expressed her delight, asking, "Are you coming to Busan?"
They also viewed Xiongnu artifacts uncovered through the Korea-Mongolia Joint Archaeological Research Project. The museum director explained that the jointly excavated items are sent to Korea for preservation, and Bolorchechek noted the significant scale of the ongoing excavation project, expressing hope for meaningful results in the future.
Kim remarked, "It is very impressive that the historical achievements uncovered by our researchers are displayed here, and I hope that the cooperation between our two countries for the preservation of cultural heritage will continue to serve as a strong bridge connecting our peoples."
Next, they visited the fifth-floor exhibition hall dedicated to the Mongol Empire, where they viewed portraits, saddles, and jewelry. While examining a comb used by women during that era, Kim noted its resemblance to traditional Korean combs, showing interest in the cultural similarities between the two nations.
They then visited the ninth floor to see the golden statue of Genghis Khan. Kim stated, "Understanding the history and culture of a country is the first step to understanding its people," and expressed hope that Korea and Mongolia would continue to deepen their friendship based on their long history and cultural exchanges.
Finally, they visited the fifth-floor silver tree exhibition, which features a model of a legendary silver tree said to have adorned the square in front of Genghis Khan's palace in the 13th century. A surprise traditional clothing fashion show prepared by the Mongolian side took place, where the two women examined Mongolia's traditional attire, developed according to local climate and culture, while enjoying a friendly atmosphere. When Bolorchechek explained a decorative hat, Kim introduced the traditional Korean headpiece, gache, discussing the cultural commonalities.
Both women evaluated the visit as a meaningful time spent exploring Mongolia's cultural heritage, enhancing mutual understanding and friendship. Kim stated, "Seeing Mongolia's history and culture firsthand has helped me understand why our two countries have maintained a close relationship like brothers for such a long time. I hope you can visit Korea and explore the precious cultural heritage at the National Museum of Korea."
Bolorchechek responded, "I am grateful for the opportunity to introduce Mongolia's history and culture. I have heard that the National Museum of Korea is a beautiful place with many valuable artifacts, and I would love to visit it."
Ahn added, "This visit has served as an opportunity to broaden mutual understanding between our peoples through cultural heritage and to strengthen the commitment of both countries to expand cooperation in various fields and exchanges for future generations."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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