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Divas for Diva column is generously led for the magazine
international
by Radiona Nikova

Interview with
Mrs. Kyoung-a Kim

Spouse H.E. Ambassador Seong Deok YUN,
Permanent Representative of Republic of Korea

to the UN - Geneva

I first met Mrs. Kyoung-A Kim in Rabat, your first diplomatic posting was?
Morocco, during a time when her husband was I studied German literature at Yonsei University
serving as Ambassador of the Republic of Korea in Korea, and soon after I graduated, I met my
and mine represented Bulgaria. I often recall that husband. One of the things that drew me to him
moment with great fondness— she was the very was his work as a diplomat—it felt almost like
first person I spoke to at a diplomatic reception in fate, because I had once dreamed of becoming a
Rabat, and it was her who graciously invited me diplomat myself. Not long after we married, we
to join the Ambassadors’ Spouses Association, began our life together in the diplomatic world.
which continues to flourish to this day. Our first posting was in Belgium, which was such
a special experience for us as a young couple.
Later, fate reunited us in Geneva. I had arrived Since then, we’ve lived in Lebanon, Geneva,
slightly earlier, and it was both a joy and an honour China, back to Belgium, Morocco, and now
to reciprocate her kindness by introducing her we’re here in Geneva again. Along the way, we’ve
to the spouses’ organization here. Such moments raised our two daughters, who’ve had the unique
are not uncommon in diplomatic life. That experience of growing up in so many different
is, perhaps, one of its quiet charms—the way cultures. Every posting has brought something
familiar faces reappear across continents and new—different people, languages, and ways of
years, weaving a thread of continuity through life—and as a family, we’ve tried to embrace each
our nomadic journeys. place with curiosity and openness.

Within the diplomatic community, we often How does your family adapt to life abroad?
rediscover friendships and shared memories What have been the main joys and challenges
from previous postings. These vibrant encounters of frequent relocations? What helps you feel “at
offer a sense of belonging and reassurance, home,” wherever you are?
reminding us that others have walked the same Over the years, we’ve lived in many different
path, felt the same emotions, and navigated the countries, usually for about three years at a time.
same transitions. Over time, I’ve learned that what matters most
isn’t the country itself, but the people I meet there.
With that spirit of connection, I am delighted to I’m an optimistic person by nature, and I feel so
ask Mrs Kyoung-A Kim to share her reflections fortunate to have met so many wonderful people
on the following: who have made each posting meaningful.

Could you please share with us a little about Of course, there have been challenges too. In 2008,
yourself, your husband and your family—your during our first time in Geneva, my older daughter
professional background, how you met your shared how hard it was to be the child of a diplomat.
husband, how your life together began, and what That summer, we let her spend time in Korea, and

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