State Visit #9: South Korea

Sunday 24 March 2018

13:20 Departure from Melsbroek airport.

Lady-in-waiting Clotilde Boël and Mathilde's hairdresser Frédéric van Espen.

🇧🇪🇰🇷 Achter de schermen van het staatsbezoek. Dankzij hem zal koningin Mathilde er in Zuid-Korea piekfijn uitzien: Frédéric Van Espen, eigenaar van salon @DetRosalinde in Brussel en sinds 2012 haar vaste kapper. Voor hem stapt hofdame Clotilde Boël het vliegtuig op. #BelKor2019 pic.twitter.com/YdlQHxnbi3

— [Wim Dehandschutter] (@WDehandschutter) 24 maart 2019

The King & Queen were joined by about 200 others on this four-day visit. During the flight they went round to talk to the participants.

🇧🇪🇰🇷 Achter de schermen van een staatsbezoek. Tijdens de vlucht naar Seoel doen koning Filip en koningin Mathilde even hun ronde op de Airbus om alle passagiers - de meereizende zakenlui, academi en journalisten - te begroeten en een babbeltje met hen te slaan. #BelKor2019 pic.twitter.com/PAPZ3mdqKv

— [Wim Dehandschutter] (@WDehandschutter) 25 maart 2019

Monday 25 March 2019

Arrival at Seoul, South Korea.

Visit to the Korean Furniture Museum where the Royal Couple also participate in a tea ceremony.

During their stay in Seoul, the King & Queen were lodged at the Grand Hyatt Hotel.

Tuesday 26 March 2019

At 8:45 King Philippe, Queen Mathilde and Belgian ministers attended a wreath laying ceremony at the National Cemetery.

Then followed a commemoration ceremony at the War Memorial of Korea in the presence of veterans. During the Korean War, more than 3,000 Belgian volunteers participated in military operations. 

At 10:15 the Belgian guests attended an official welcome ceremony hosted by South Korean President Moon Jae-In.

A small exhibition on the relationship between Korea and Belgium.

Queen Mathilde and First Lady Kim Jung-sook had an official meeting at Cheong Wa Dae (the Blue House).

First Lady Kim Jung-sook met with Her Majesty the Queen. FL Kim said, "Spring is the most-awaited season in Korea. The long-awaited spring season reflects the Korean people's aspiration for #peace." #BELKOR2019@MonarchieBe @BelgiumMFA pic.twitter.com/d5N78lyEuF

— The Office of President Moon Jae-in (@TheBlueHouseENG) 26 maart 2019

The First Lady accompanied Mathilde for a lunch and visit of the Korea National University of Arts – School of Music. Mathilde is the Honorary President the Queen Elisabeth Music Competition. Each year excellent Korean musicians make it to the finals.

At 18:30 it was time for the state banquet, followed by Korean music and dance.

Wednesday 27 March 2019

Queen Mathilde had a private meeting with Ban Ki-moon about sustainable development and SDGs at the opening of a seminar on ‘Innovative solutions for circular economy, sustainable mobility and climate change’ at Ugent's Global Campus Songdo.

It was Ban Ki-moon who initially asked Mathilde to become an SDG advocate, a role she takes very serious.

There was a meet & greet for Belgian exchange students studying in Korea.

With UGent rector, Rik Van de Walle.

Meanwhile at a taekwondo demonstration, King Philippe revealed that his son Prince Gabriel (15) practices this sport.

🇧🇪🇰🇷 Koning Filip, nadat hij taekwondo mocht beoefenen in het internationale hoofdkwartier van Zuid-Korea’s nationale sport:

“Ook in België beoefenen jongeren deze sport. Een van hen is mijn eigen zoon (prins Gabriël, 15 jaar, W.D.). Hij is nu heel jaloers op mij.” #BelKor2019 pic.twitter.com/J14QQTI157

— [Wim Dehandschutter] (@WDehandschutter) 27 maart 2019

Mathilde had a work lunch centered on climate and sustainability.

In the afternoon the Queen visited UNICEF Korea for a conversation with Korean youth on climate change & how they can contribute to a sustainable future. They discussed air pollution, children’s health & the importance of education so “No-one is left behind”.

At 18:00 the Belgian delegation hosted a concert by laureates of the Queen Elisabeth Competition, followed by a networking reception.

Thursday 28 March 2019

The last day of this state visit started with a private visit to the Jeon Jin Sang Medical Center. The clinic was founded by Belgian Dr. Marie-Hélène Brasseur in 1975 and provides medical and palliative care for the local population.

🇧🇪🇰🇷 Dag 4 van het staatsbezoek aan Zuid-Korea. Koning Filip en koningin Mathilde zijn op weg naar een welzijnscentrum in Seoel. Dat werd in de jaren ‘70 opgericht door de Belgische Marie-Hélène Brasseur. Ze doet o.m. palliatieve zorgen, wat zeldzaam is in Korea. #BelKor2019 pic.twitter.com/wBqH48j94k

— [Wim Dehandschutter] (@WDehandschutter) 28 maart 2019

Mathilde also visited doctor Brasseur on her previous visit to South Korea, in 2000, as you can see here.

At 11:00 the King and Queen officially opened the Belgian Life Festival where Belgian band Sioen performed. The band had a big hit in South Korea recently when one of their songs was used in a Korean commercial.

Philippe & Mathilde also had an informal meeting with the Belgian press. Philippe told journalists that his son Gabriel had practiced a bit of taekwondo with him, so dad wouldn't be completely unprepared. Mathilde said to be impatient to be with the children again, especially since both of her sons were starting their exams at school.

At noon Mathilde assisted at a work lunch on mental health, at the Jingwansa Buddhist temple. The themes were work-life balance and the importance of culture and art for mental wellbeing.

After this final activity the delegation left South Korea in the afternoon to return to Belgium.

With Belgian ambassador to Korea, Peter Lescouhier.