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| First lady Kim Keon Hee, right, and Japanese architect Tadao Ando pose in this photo taken in 2016. Courtesy of Presidential Office |
Presidential office discloses Kim Keon Hee's exchange of letters with Japanese architect
By Lee Hae-rin
President Yoon Suk Yeol's wife Kim Keon Hee exchanged new year messages with renowned Japanese architect Tadao Ando and hoped that their friendship can pave the way for more exchanges between the two countries, the presidential office said, Sunday.
In a letter sent to the Japanese architect, Kim wrote that she was able to deliver the "topic of our time" through their past collaborations. She then proposed that her ties with the Japanese architect can contribute to friendly exchanges between Korea and Japan.
Their ties were known to have begun when they worked together for the Le Corbusier special exhibition at the Seoul Arts Center in 2016.
The first lady also thanked Ando for the gift he sent her to commemorate President Yoon's inauguration last year.
The Japanese architect sent Kim a miniature version of his "Green Apple" installation piece along with a brochure for his recent project, a sketch with a picture of the presidential couple and a photo of him and the first lady taken in 2016 while working together.
In response, Ando sent Kim a letter about his impressions of her past exhibition and delivered a message of gratitude for her understanding and sympathizing with his architectural philosophy. He also sent a print of Samuel Ullmans' poem "Youth," which starts with the line, "Youth is not a time of life; it is a state of mind."
The first lady sent the message on Jan. 1 and received his response four days later, the presidential office said.
The internationally acclaimed Japanese architect worked as a truck driver and boxer before starting his career as an architect. He won the 1995 Pritzker Prize and many other globally prestigious awards. His major works include the Church of Light (1989) in Osaka and the Water Temple (1991) in Awaji, Japan.
The self-educated architect has an architectural style that focuses on harmony with nature and the use of empty space and enclosed concrete. He has a growing fandom and six of his works are in Korea, including Museum SAN in Wonju, Gangwon Province, Bonte Museum on Jeju Island and the Jaenung Culture Center (JCC) in central Seoul.
*Editor's note: The Korea Times will stylize the presidential couple as President Yoon Suk Yeol and first lady Kim Keon Hee starting Monday, upon the presidential office's request.
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