In a special gesture of friendship, South Korea’s first lady Kim Jung-sook wore a blouse made from a red saree gifted to her by counterpart Savita Kovind, wife of India’s President Ram Nath Kovind at a luncheon meeting here this month.
Savita had gifted the saree to her during her previous visit to India in July this year.
Earlier, Jung-sook’s husband Korean President Moon Jae-in too had donned a ‘Modi jacket’ gifted to him by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the picture had gone viral on social media, sparking interest among South Korea’s public towards India’s rich cultural heritage and colourful fabrics.
At the luncheon hosted by Savita Kovind, Korea’s First Lady said she had the blouse woven from the saree gifted by her counterpart, observing that the gesture expressed her desire to see Korea and India prosper together.
While meeting India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, the First lady had also explained the meaning of the garment, saying that she had had it made with a hope that Koreans would share the philosophy and culture of India and that the two countries would be able to cultivate closer ties.
Korean songs such as ‘Arirang’, ‘Fate’ and ‘Beautiful Country’ by singer Lee Sun-hee were played along with Indian traditional instruments during the cultural performances staged over the luncheon, to convey the symbolism of the First Lady’s visit to India and the strong bilateral ties.
Savind Kovind also invited her daughter and daughter-in-law to the luncheon and introduced her grandchildren to Jung-sook, expressing her desire to nurture friendship and deepen relations amidst a familial atmosphere.
