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Divas for Diva

“What matters most isn’t the country

itself, but the people i meet there ”

it made me reflect deeply on the way people respect and enjoy nature—it’s a
the experience of children part of everyday life here. I also admire the culture
who grow up between of punctuality and efficiency. In Korea, life moves
cultures. Around that time, at a faster pace and is more community-driven,
I attended a seminar on but both cultures share a strong sense of respect,
“third culture kids” and how harmony, and responsibility, even if they express
they often feel like foreigners it differently.
everywhere. This inspired
me to earn a certificate in What have been the most significant challenges
bibliotherapy, and later I gave you’ve faced in adjusting to a new cultural
several lectures at elementary environment—not only in Geneva but in your
schools in Korea to help previous postings as well?
children navigate similar Each new posting comes with its own cultural
feelings. There are moments adjustments. For me, the most significant
when I’ve felt lonely, being far challenge has often been the language barrier—
from my home country, but especially in places where I didn’t speak the local
spending time with my husband and our two lovely language. It can make even simple daily tasks feel complicated, from
daughters has always been what makes anywhere grocery shopping to filling out forms. Another challenge has been
feel like “home” to me. building a new social network each time. While I enjoy meeting new
people, starting over every few years can be emotionally demanding. I
Your husband is now serving his second term remember in Lebanon, for example, it took some time before I found a
in Geneva with the United Nations. Have you circle of friends I could truly connect with.
noticed any changes in the city, its atmosphere or
Switzerland overall compared to your previous Could you tell us about women in Korea—the challenges they face,
time here? their everyday life, and the values that guide them?
When we were in Geneva the first time, my husband Women in Korea today live in a society that has changed rapidly over
was serving as Counselor, and our children were the past few decades. Many women are active in the workforce, and
still young. Most of my energy then was devoted to they balance professional ambitions with traditional expectations
raising them and supporting their school life, so my around family life. This balance is not always easy—there are still
world was very much centered around home and challenges related to gender equality in the workplace and the pressure
family. Now, returning for his second term as the to fulfill multiple roles at once.
Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea
to the UN and other international organizations, The values that guide many Korean women come from both tradition
my life here feels quite different. With our and modern aspirations—respect for family, perseverance, and a belief
daughters grown, I have more time and freedom in education as a path to opportunity. Even as society changes, these
to participate in various events and activities as the values continue to shape how women navigate their lives.
spouse of an ambassador—whether it’s supporting
charity bazaars or attending cultural gatherings. It You’ve repeatedly represented your country at charity bazaars in
has given me the chance to connect more deeply support of children and disadvantaged women at the UN and WIPO,
with the international community in Geneva and organizing culinary and craft stands. You’re also an active member of
to experience the city from a broader perspective women’s organizations for diplomatic spouses such as UNWG, Cercle
than before. International, and the Asian Ambassadors’ Spouses Association. These
contributions are also seen as cultural showcases. Could you share
What aspects of local culture have impressed you more about Korean culinary traditions and modern culture? Korean
the most, and how would you compare them to beauty and aesthetics have become globally influential, particularly
Korean traditions? among younger generations through the rise of K-pop…
What impresses me most about Switzerland is Korean culinary traditions are deeply tied to our history and values.

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