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President Lee Jae-myung and first lady Kim Hye-kyung deliver Chuseok holiday greetings in Hanbok attire, in a photo released by the presidential office on October 7. / Source: Yonhap News

First lady Kim Hye-kyung on October 21 attended the 2025 Hanbok Culture Week Commemoration Ceremony held in celebration of Hanbok Day, highlighting the traditional attire as “a core asset of K-culture” and pledging to help make it a part of modern everyday life.

“Hanbok has now firmly established itself as a cultural content that merges fashion, art, and industry,” Kim said in her congratulatory remarks, according to a written briefing by deputy presidential spokesperson Ahn Gwi-ryeong. “As the world’s attention and love for K-culture grow, the value of Hanbok is also rising at its center.”

She added, “I will continue to promote the beauty and dignity of Hanbok on both domestic and international stages so that our traditions can shine even more brightly.”

During the event, Kim met with Hanbok designers who participated in the fashion show, listened to their opinions, and offered encouragement. “When I wear Hanbok, my posture and mindset change—it seems to have its own power,” she said. In response, Kim Hye-soon, a designer with over 40 years of experience, replied, “Clothing should be bought, not borrowed. I hope every Korean owns at least one Hanbok.”

Another designer, Kim Nam-kyung, who has been making Hanbok for seven years, shared concerns about lingering perceptions that treat Hanbok as mere traditional costume rather than fashion, and called for “sustained, practical support” for designers to continue their work.

Since 2018, Hanbok Culture Week has been held annually to promote the traditional attire and encourage everyday Hanbok wearing. This year’s celebration featured an awards ceremony honoring contributors to Hanbok culture, a fashion show, and performances highlighting the harmony between tradition and modernity, solidifying its place as a leading festival in the Hanbok community.