First Lady Kim Keon Hee has reaffirmed her dedication to promoting Korean cuisine worldwide during a high-profile meeting with distinguished chefs and culinary experts in New York City. During her visit, she expressed her delight at witnessing firsthand the remarkable growth in popularity of Korean food throughout the United States.
The First Lady participated in a roundtable discussion at the Korean Cultural Center on Wednesday, where she highlighted the increasing recognition of kimbap, traditional Korean seaweed rice rolls. According to vice presidential spokesperson Jeon Eun-soo, Kim noted how the dish's popularity surged after being featured in the Netflix animated series "K-Pop Demon Hunters." Her presence in New York, recognized as a global cultural hub, was part of her accompaniment of President Yoon Suk Yeol during the United Nations General Assembly proceedings this week.
"After exploring Koreatown in New York, I truly experienced the widespread appeal of Korean food," Kim remarked during the event. "A decade ago, bringing a kimbap lunch box to an American school would have been cause for ridicule, but today, it has become incredibly popular." She further pledged, "I will actively consider the insights you've shared today and work diligently to promote Korean cuisine around the world."
The roundtable featured an impressive lineup of renowned Korean-American chefs, including Chef Hooni Kim from Danji, Chef Shin Chang-ho from Joo-Ok, Chef Shim Sung-chul from Kochi and Dondon Korean BBQ, and Chef Kim Ho-young from Jua. These culinary professionals represent the forefront of Korean cuisine's expansion in the competitive New York dining scene.
Drawing from her personal experience as an author of a Korean food recipe book published in 2018, Kim emphasized that Korean cuisine transcends mere sustenance. She stressed that Korean food represents a comprehensive culture that embodies the daily life and spiritual essence of the Korean people. The First Lady also expressed her sincere appreciation to the culinary experts who dedicate their efforts to spreading Korean food culture globally.
Following the professional roundtable, Kim participated in a hands-on cooking class at The Korea Society, where she personally taught children the art of making kimbap. This educational component demonstrated her commitment to passing Korean culinary traditions to younger generations, particularly Korean-American youth who may be discovering their cultural heritage through food.
Expanding her cultural outreach efforts, Kim held another significant meeting on Thursday with young Korean cultural and artistic figures based in New York City. This gathering took place at the Korea Cultural Center New York as part of her broader initiative to connect with the Korean cultural community abroad. The meeting included notable participants such as singer-songwriter and lawyer Lee So-eun, visual artist Yoon Da-in, and soprano Park Hye-sang, who performs regularly at the prestigious Metropolitan Opera in New York.
These events collectively represent a strategic diplomatic effort to strengthen cultural ties and promote Korean heritage through culinary arts and cultural exchange. The First Lady's activities in New York underscore the growing international recognition of Korean culture and the important role that food plays in cultural diplomacy and soft power projection on the global stage.
