Farewell to Wife of Dean of Diplomatic Corps

By Kim Se-jeong

Staff Reporter

Now is the wives' turn.

Nearly 40 spouses of foreign ambassadors in Korea gathered Tuesday at the residence of the ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to bid farewell to Yolanda F. de Ungo, wife of the El Salvadoran Ambassador Alfredo Ungo.

This event was hosted by Aida Almaaina, the wife of the UAE ambassador. Almaaina said she wanted to give a special farewell gathering for Ungo who has been in Korea for 12 years.

``We don't usually do this for every leaving wife of an ambassador,'' she said.

The two hugged and kissed on the cheek as Almaaina presented a gift to Mrs. Ungo.

Mrs. Ungo began her good-bye message, ``I hope I don't cry. I am so sad to leave good friends, and the wonderful history and culture of Korea. I will never forget your generous heart. I hope to see you again on this small world.''

Among the guests, was Lee Myoung-sook, wife of the minister of foreign affairs and trade, Lyudmila Fen, wife of the Uzbekistan Ambassador whose husband is soon to succeed Ungo as the dean of the foreign diplomatic circle in Korea and the wife of Lebanese Ambassador, Zeina Rammal who was to leave Korea the next day.

The wife of the Iraqi ambassador whose embassy reopened a month ago was a new face among them.

Tim Strong, husband of the New Zealand Ambassador, was the only male in the group.

The Ungos leave Korea on Sept. 20, and their next post is Nicaragua in the central America.