Mrs. Kim Hye-kyung and Chilean First Lady Tour Museum: "Jangseung and Rapa Nui Sculptures Resemble Each Other"

While visiting Chile, Mrs. Kim Hye-kyung visited the Pre-Columbus Era Art Museum in Santiago with Mrs. Maria Pia Adriasola, wife of Chilean President Kast, on July 30 (local time), deepening the mutual understanding of the history and culture of both countries.

On July 30 (local time), Kim Hye-kyung, wife of President Lee Jae-myung, who is on an official visit to Chile with the president, and Maria Pia Adriasola, wife of Chilean President Kast, took a commemorative photo in front of wooden sculpture exhibits at the Pre-Columbus Era Art Museum in Santiago. 2026.7.31 Yonhap News Photo by Yonhap News

On the morning of the same day, Mrs. Kim, guided by Mrs. Adriasola, toured the museum's main permanent exhibition, "Chile Before Chile." Opened in 1981, the museum houses approximately 10,000 relics from the pre-Columbian era, including those from indigenous Chilean cultures such as the Mapuche and Rapa Nui, as well as the Inca, Maya, and Aztec civilizations from across Central and South America.

Mrs. Kim expressed her gratitude to Mrs. Adriasola, saying, "Thank you for inviting me to a museum where one can experience prehistoric and ancient cultures from all over Central and South America in one place." Mrs. Adriasola replied, "I am delighted to visit a place I particularly cherish with you," adding, "It is meaningful to introduce the culture and artistic heritage of Native Americans through these artifacts."

The two ladies examined the Chinchorro mummy, known as the oldest artificial mummy in the world, and wooden sculptures of the Mapuche people. Mrs. Kim remarked, "It is impressive that these relics not only possess outstanding artistry but also embody a worldview of respecting nature and community."

While viewing Rapa Nui wooden sculptures, the cultural similarities between the two countries became a topic of conversation. Upon learning that the sculptures represent ancestral spirits and spiritual beings, Mrs. Kim commented, "In Korea, we have Jangseung guardians—totem poles placed at village entrances—and their eyes and expressions look quite similar." The two ladies shared laughter while comparing their respective traditional cultures.

They also viewed turbans, hats, and helmets that were used in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile some 3,000 years ago. Mrs. Kim stated, "They are so beautiful that they could still be sold today, and their preservation is remarkable." Mrs. Adriasola explained, "We are making efforts to systematically preserve cultural heritage and pass it down intact to future generations."

In the Central Andes Hall, the two women observed traditional musical instruments and metal crafts. Mrs. Adriasola played audio files stored on her mobile phone, introducing the sounds of flutes, horns, drums, and metal bells.

While examining metal crafts from the Moche culture, Mrs. Kim asked, "The material used looks similar to the one in Korea's mother-of-pearl lacquerware—are they made from seashells?" After Mrs. Adriasola confirmed they are indeed made from shells, the two ladies discussed the similarities in the craft cultures of both countries.

After finishing the tour, Mrs. Kim shared, "It was a special time, almost as if I had traveled back 3,000 years. Korea and Chile share the same values in striving to preserve their long history and culture to pass on to future generations." Mrs. Adriasola responded, "I hope you will visit again and return to this place in the future."

As they were leaving the museum, children and tourists greeted the two ladies. Mrs. Adriasola introduced Mrs. Kim as "a guest from Korea" to the children, and Mrs. Kim also exchanged greetings with local citizens, according to Deputy Blue House Spokesperson Ahn Gwi-ryeong.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.