By Reporter Anna Kim

First Lady Kim Keon-hee was invited by French First Lady Brigitte Macron to a friendly luncheon at the Elysee Palace and they shared views to strengthen cooperation in design and gardening on June 20.

 
Kim said, "Korean young designers have outstanding capabilities, but it is unfortunate that there are not many opportunities to introduce them to the world," and asked Macron for advice on whether there is a stage to introduce them as world-class designers, to which Macron responded, "I will arrange an event to introduce four or five Korean artists at the Design Week in France."

 When installation artist Jean-Michel Othoniel, who was also at the luncheon, spoke about the uniqueness and beauty of Korean gardens, as opposed to Japanese gardens, Kim said, "Korean gardens are not tightly packed, but have a special quality of space in the margins," which she described as a "meditative space." In response, Mrs. Macron offered to create a Korean-style garden in France and suggested cooperation between the two countries.