First lady visits Korean language institute in Lithuania

First lady Kim Keon-hee, center in the first row, visits a Korean language institute in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Tuesday. [PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE]

VILNIUS (Yonhap) – First lady Kim Keon-hee on Tuesday visited a Korean language institute in Lithuania and promised to help increase student exchange between the two countries, the presidential office said.

Kim visited the King Sejong Institute in Vilnius while accompanying President Yoon Suk Yeol to a summit of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and met with a group of Lithuanian students who shared their stories about learning Korean, living in Korea as exchange students and winning awards at K-pop contests.

"It's especially meaningful to meet the future generation of Lithuania using Korean as an instrument," Kim was quoted as saying by presidential spokesperson Lee Do-woon.

The students all spoke in Korean.

"I expect the Korea-Lithuania relationship to grow closer through all of you, who symbolize the two countries' exchanges," she added.

Kim introduced Korea as a "charming" country where not only Seoul but each city boasts unique characteristics and beauty.

She recommended visiting Korea's royal palaces and trying on hanbok, traditional Korean dress, as well as tasting Korean food and staying at a hanok, or traditional Korean houses.

"I look forward to meeting you again in Korea next time," she said.

Before visiting the students, Kim also met with the president of Mykolas Romeris University, where the institute is located, and the institute's chief.

She promised to work to increase further the institute's activities and student exchange programs between the two countries.

As gifts, she presented key rings emblazoned with the words "Busan is ready" and "Hip Korea," which she helped design to promote Korea's bid to host the 2030 World Expo.

Yonhap