Kim Hye-kyung visited the Pre-Columbian Art Museum in Santiago on July 30, local time, with Chilean First Lady María Pia Adriasola to explore Chilean cultural heritage.
According to a written briefing from Deputy Spokesperson Ahn Gyu-ryeong, the two women discussed the commonalities between their cultures, broadening their understanding of history and tradition. After the visit, Kim remarked, "It felt like a special time, as if I had traveled back 3,000 years."
The Pre-Columbian Art Museum, which opened in 1981, houses around 10,000 artifacts from pre-Columbian cultures across Latin America, including the Mapuche and Rapa Nui, as well as Inca, Maya, and Aztec civilizations.
Kim expressed her gratitude for being invited to a museum that is not only significant in Chilean history but also showcases prehistoric and ancient cultures from across Latin America.
Adriasola responded, "I am happy to visit one of my favorite places with you. It is meaningful to introduce the culture and artistry of Indigenous Americans through artifacts of historical value and beauty."
The two women then visited the museum's main permanent exhibition, "Chile Before Chile," where they examined the lives and cultures of various Indigenous communities before the formation of modern Chile.
Kim viewed the Chinchorro mummies, known as the oldest artificial mummies in the world, and wooden sculptures from the Mapuche, the largest Indigenous group in Chile. She noted, "The artifacts not only possess outstanding artistic quality but also reflect a worldview that respects nature and community, which is very impressive."
In front of the Rapa Nui wooden sculptures, the topic of Korea's jangseung arose. After hearing that these sculptures represent the spirits of ancestors and spiritual beings, Kim remarked, "In Korea, we also have jangseung that serve as guardian deities at village entrances, and they seem to have similar eyes and expressions."
Kim also examined turbans, hats, and helmets used by Indigenous people to protect themselves from the harsh climate of the Atacama Desert, stating, "They seem beautiful and well-preserved enough to sell today."
Adriasola explained, "We are continuously working to systematically preserve and exhibit cultural heritage to pass it on to future generations."
The two then moved to the Central Andes exhibition, where they viewed traditional musical instruments such as flutes, trumpets, drums, and metal bells. Adriasola played audio recordings on her phone to introduce the sounds of each instrument.
While examining metal crafts from the Moche culture, Kim asked, "It looks similar to the materials used in Korean mother-of-pearl inlay; is it seashell?" Adriasola confirmed that it was indeed seashell, and they discussed the similarities in the craft cultures of their countries.
After exploring the textile arts of Andean civilization, Kim remarked, "It is hard to believe these works were made thousands of years ago; they are so delicate and beautiful. I could feel the high cultural level and creativity of that civilization."
She added, "It seems that Korea and Chile share common values in preserving their long histories and cultures and passing them on to future generations."
Adriasola expressed her hope that Kim would visit Chile again and return to the museum.
As they left the museum, children and tourists greeted the two women. Adriasola introduced Kim as a "guest from Korea," and Kim warmly greeted the citizens.
Deputy Spokesperson Ahn stated, "This visit served as an opportunity for Korea and Chile to understand and empathize with each other's history and traditions, reaffirming both countries' commitment to expanding cultural exchanges and cooperation."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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