First ladies of S. Korea, France visit National Museum of Korea | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
OK By Kim Eun-jung SEOUL, April 3 (Yonhap) -- First lady Kim Hea Kyung and French first lady Brigitte Macron visited the National Museum of Korea on Friday to view key exhibits with cultural ties between the two countries and exchange views on cultural cooperation. The first ladies toured the exhibition hall of the Uigwe -- royal protocol manuscripts from the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) -- which have historical ties to France, as Brigitte accompanied French President Emmanuel Macron on his state visit to South Korea. First lady Kim Hea Kyung (front, R) and French first lady Brigitte Macron (front, L) pose for a photo during their visit to the National Museum of Korea in Seoul on April 3, 2026. (Pool photo) (Yonhap) The Uigwe were taken by French troops during the 1866 French campaign against Korea and were returned to South Korea in 2011 under a long-term renewable loan arrangement after 145 years. First lady Kim Hea Kyung (R) and French first lady Brigitte Macron pose for a photo at an exhibition hall displaying the Uigwe, manuscripts for royal protocols during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), at the National Museum of Korea in Seoul on April 3, 2026. (Pool photo) (Yonhap) Brigitte responded that the documents were well preserved and added that they could help children learn important values The two also toured the museum's "Room of Contemplation," where there are two Pensive Bodhisattva statues -- among the museum's most celebrated treasures.

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OK
By Kim Eun-jung
SEOUL, April 3 (Yonhap) -- First lady Kim Hea Kyung and French first lady Brigitte Macron visited the National Museum of Korea on Friday to view key exhibits with cultural ties between the two countries and exchange views on cultural cooperation.
The first ladies toured the exhibition hall of the Uigwe -- royal protocol manuscripts from the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) -- which have historical ties to France, as Brigitte accompanied French President Emmanuel Macron on his state visit to South Korea.
First lady Kim Hea Kyung (front, R) and French first lady Brigitte Macron (front, L) pose for a photo during their visit to the National Museum of Korea in Seoul on April 3, 2026. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
The Uigwe were taken by French troops during the 1866 French campaign against Korea and were returned to South Korea in 2011 under a long-term renewable loan arrangement after 145 years.
Kim expressed gratitude that Korea's valuable historical records were well preserved by France and its allowance to display them, according to deputy spokesperson Ahn Gwi-ryeong.
"We are grateful that they were well preserved in France, which has allowed us to display them," Kim said was quoted as saying.
First lady Kim Hea Kyung (R) and French first lady Brigitte Macron pose for a photo at an exhibition hall displaying the Uigwe, manuscripts for royal protocols during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), at the National Museum of Korea in Seoul on April 3, 2026. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
Brigitte responded that the documents were well preserved and added that they could help children learn important values
The two also toured the museum's "Room of Contemplation," where there are two Pensive Bodhisattva statues -- among the museum's most celebrated treasures.
As Kim explained that the Buddhist sculptures capture a moment of deep contemplation and enlightenment, reminiscent of French sculptor Auguste Rodin's "The Thinker," Brigitte expressed agreement, Ahn said.
ejkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
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First ladies of S. Korea, France visit National Museum of Korea

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- Kim expressed gratitude that Korea's valuable historical records were well preserved by France and its allowance to display them, according to deputy spokesperson Ahn Gwi-ryeong. "We are grateful that they were well preserved in France, which has allowed us to display them," Kim said was quoted as saying.
- First lady Kim Hea Kyung (R) and French first lady Brigitte Macron pose for a photo at an exhibition hall displaying the Uigwe, manuscripts for royal protocols during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), at the National Museum of Korea in Seoul on April 3, 2026. (Pool photo) (Yonhap) Brigitte responded that the documents were well preserved and added that they could help children learn important values The two also toured the museum's "Room of Contemplation," where there are two Pensive Bodhisattva statues -- among the museum's most celebrated treasures.

### Areas for Consideration
- Korea, France vow closer cooperation in AI, quantum computing Korean Air, France's Exotrail sign MOU for orbit transfer vehicle development (LEAD) Lee hosts dinner for France's Macron ahead of summit Keywords #first ladies #France Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (LEAD) BTS scores 7th No. 1 album on Billboard 200 with 'Arirang' Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold (URGENT) BTS earns 7th No. 1 song on the Billboard singles chart with 'Swim' Most Saved Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold (LEAD) S.

### Implications
- First lady Kim Hea Kyung (R) and French first lady Brigitte Macron pose for a photo at an exhibition hall displaying the Uigwe, manuscripts for royal protocols during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), at the National Museum of Korea in Seoul on April 3, 2026. (Pool photo) (Yonhap) Brigitte responded that the documents were well preserved and added that they could help children learn important values The two also toured the museum's "Room of Contemplation," where there are two Pensive Bodhisattva statues -- among the museum's most celebrated treasures.
- Korea, France vow closer cooperation in AI, quantum computing Korean Air, France's Exotrail sign MOU for orbit transfer vehicle development (LEAD) Lee hosts dinner for France's Macron ahead of summit Keywords #first ladies #France Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (LEAD) BTS scores 7th No. 1 album on Billboard 200 with 'Arirang' Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold (URGENT) BTS earns 7th No. 1 song on the Billboard singles chart with 'Swim' Most Saved Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold (LEAD) S.
- Korea co-sponsors U.N. resolution on N.K. human rights (LEAD) Trump calls on countries to 'go get your own oil' from Strait of Hormuz, or buy it from U.S.
- Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) Trump says U.S. will hit Iran 'extremely hard' over next 2 to 3 weeks (LEAD) Lee, Macron hold summit to discuss bilateral cooperation (LEAD) Lee hosts dinner for France's Macron ahead of summit (LEAD) Lee reaffirms commitment to regain wartime command in meeting with U.S. lawmakers BTS to drop 'Come Over,' exclusive new track on 'Arirang' LP Most Viewed More Most Viewed Photos New school year begins in N.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers korea, france, lead topics. Notable strengths include discussion of korea. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 630.