First lady Kim Keon Hee and her Japanese counterpart Yuko Kishida on May 8 look at a display of white porcelain at Leeum Museum of Art in Seoul's Yongsan-gu District. 

By Charles Audouin

Photos = Office of the President 

Presidential spokesperson Lee Do Woon in a news release said both women visited Leeum Museum of Art in the capital's Yongsan-gu District. 

At the museum, they saw the exhibition "Joseon White Porcelain: Paragon of Virtue," featuring a collection of white porcelain pieces from both countries. The event runs through May 28. 

"As white porcelain is cultural heritage that coexisted in East Asian regions in the same era, Korea and Japan have many aspects that they can relate to," first lady Kim said. "For this exhibition, six Japanese institutions including the Tokyo National Museum and Japan Folk Crafts Museum lent their white porcelain works." 

"This is an exhibition of cultural exchange and harmony achieved through the mutual cooperation of both countries," she added. "We look forward to more abundant exchange between the two countries in various sectors." 

Before returning home, Japan's first lady told her Korean counterpart, "I'm pleased to see progress in bilateral exchange," adding, "I look forward to greeting you next weekend in Hiroshima at the G7 (Group of 7 economies) summit." 

First lady Kim Keon Hee (right) and her Japanese counterpart Yuko Kishida on May 8 pose for a photo after seeing a collection of white porcelain from both nations at Leeum Museum of Art in Seoul's Yongsan-gu District.