Emine Erdoğan Hosts South Korea's First Lady in Ankara

Emine Erdoğan Hosts South Korea’s First Lady at Presidential National Library in Ankara

ISTANBUL, Nov 25, 2025 – First Lady of Türkiye, Emine Erdoğan, welcomed Kim Hea Kyung, wife of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, during her official visit to Türkiye at the Presidential National Library in Ankara on Nov. 24. The visit highlighted the strengthening cultural and diplomatic ties between the two nations.

Cultural Exchange Through Literature

The first ladies toured the Cihannüma Hall, exploring the South Korea Library collection, which showcases works reflecting shared cultural connections.

Erdoğan presented Kim with an English edition of Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi's "Masnavi", as well as books on Anatolian Seljuk heritage and Turkish history.

Educational and Cultural Engagement

Their visit continued at the Nasreddin Hodja Children's Library, where children demonstrated creative projects, including models of Tulumtaş Cave and a compass experiment, engaging the first ladies in hands-on activities.

The tour featured two significant exhibitions:

• "Anatolian Treasures: Sof's Timeless Journey" - celebrating the historic sof fabric and its craftsmanship
• "Golden Age of Archaeology" - featuring the return of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius' bronze statue

Musical Celebration and Cultural Harmony

Under Erdoğan's patronage, the Presidential Children's Orchestra and Choir performed, and Kim Hea Kyung joined the children in singing the Korean folk song "Arirang", emphasizing cultural exchange.

The musical collaboration between Turkish and Korean cultures created a memorable moment of cross-cultural understanding and friendship.

Sustainable Development Commitment

The visit concluded with a bilateral meeting at the state guesthouse, where Kim Hea Kyung signed the Global Zero Waste Goodwill Declaration, supporting sustainable development initiatives led by Türkiye.

This commitment marks a significant step in international cooperation on environmental sustainability between the two nations.

Strengthening Bilateral Relations

Emine Erdoğan expressed hope that the visit would further strengthen the friendship and collaborative efforts between Türkiye and South Korea, underscoring the shared commitment to culture, education, and sustainability.

The successful visit demonstrates the growing partnership between Türkiye and South Korea across multiple sectors.