Kim Hye-kyung meets Korean residents' association from Japan: 'I will long remember your gratitude'

Kim Hye-kyung met Tuesday with members of the Korean Residents Union in Japan Women's Association, telling them: "Your years of effort — building lives in an unfamiliar land while never letting go of your love for your homeland — are deeply felt. I will long remember that gratitude."

Cheong Wa Dae Deputy Spokesperson Ahn Gwi-ryeong said in a written briefing that Kim hosted a tea gathering with about 60 members of the association in the Chungmu Room of the main Cheong Wa Dae building that afternoon.

Kim attended in a white jeogori and gray skirt hanbok and addressed the members, who were also dressed in hanbok, saying that for Korean residents in Japan, hanbok carries a meaning beyond simply clothing worn on special occasions. "It must have been a garment that quietly embraced your longing for your homeland and, without a word, told your children and grandchildren what our roots, culture and traditions are," she said.

She went on to say that the diaspora community had never forgotten their homeland. "When the Republic of Korea faced hardship, you worried alongside us and lent your strength. When the country grew and prospered, you cheered more joyfully than anyone," she said.

She added that she hoped the visitors would feel at ease during their rare trip home, as if returning to a place they had long missed, and invited them to share their life stories over tea.

Son Mi-ja, chairwoman of the association's central headquarters, said in her response remarks that she was sincerely grateful for Kim's warm welcome at Cheong Wa Dae, following a similar reception last year.

Son said the association, founded in 1949 and marking its 77th anniversary this year, had worked to promote unity among Korean residents in Japan and foster mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries. "Although we live in another country, we have never for a moment forgotten our homeland and roots — we continue to study the Korean language and history and carry on our identity as Koreans," she said.

She went on to say that she hoped even more members would have the honor of meeting Kim and sharing warm moments during next year's homeland visit event.