First lady Kim Keon Hee (far right) on June 29 takes a group photo with her counterparts from countries taking part in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit at the Royal Palace of La Granja of San Ildefonso near Segovia, northwest of Madrid, Spain. From left are the wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Spanish Queen Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano, American first lady Jill Biden and first lady Kim. (Yonhap News)

By Yoo Yeon Gyeong and Kim Hayeon

First lady Kim Keon Hee on June 29 befriended her counterparts from countries taking part in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit through culture and art. 

The presidential office on June 29 in a written briefing said the first lady that day attended a program for the spouses of world leaders hosted by the Spanish royal couple from 10:20 a.m. to 4 p.m. They toured the Royal Palace of La Granja of San Ildefonso, Royal Glass Factory of La Granja and the museum Museo Reina Sofia and later attended a luncheon at the museum.  

Earlier, first lady Kim shared a cheek-to-cheek greeting with Spanish Queen Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano. Both were born in 1972, and the two ladies the evening before had shared their interests at a banquet hosted by Spanish King Felipe VI.  

In a conversation with American counterpart Jill Biden, first lady Kim said, "Your visit to Ukraine caused a sensation in Korea," adding, "It was an occasion for more people to show interest in the situation in Ukraine."  

In response, the American first lady said that when people reach high positions, they get a lot of advice from those around them, but what matters is one's own thoughts and will, adding, "Just be yourself."

The first ladies of 16 countries including Korea, the U.S., Poland, Turkey, Albania, Lithuania and Malta attended the program, which saw discussions on a variety of topics from the war in Ukraine to Korean culture.

dusrud21@korea.kr