Envoy’s wife says farewell with kimchi

By Philip Iglauer

Majida Mostapha, wife of the Lebanon’s Ambassador to Korea, was treated to a special farewell day-trip by Sophie Kang, president and CEO of VIAC Korea.

Lebanese Ambassador to Korea Issam Mostapha is now wrapping up his posting here.

She and Sophie and some 15 close friends were invited on a private tour of Dongwon’s kimchi factory in Jincheon, North Chungcheong Province, where they got to make their own personal batch of kimchi.

If you are worried the women, inexperienced in the ways of making Korea’s signature pickled cabbage, might make it too salty or sour, don’t.

The professional staff on hand at Dongwon made certain each and every batch of kimchi was made to the same high standards to which all of Dongwon’s food products are made.

“My friend Sophie organized this trip because she knew how interested I am in traditional Korean things, like the traditional way of making kimchi,” said Mostapha. “This trip combines an interest of mine and an opportunity to spend time together with some of our close friends.”

Mostapha made the trip to Jincheon, a small city about two-hours south of Seoul by bus, more than enjoyable with her lively banter and story-telling acumen.

She made the trip particularly memorable with the Lebanese snacks she brought with her like Turkish coffee, a dark brew strongly flavored with cardamom, and plenty of Zatar, delicious small unleavened bread cooked with olive oil and thyme.

“We were all invited on this tour in honor of Majida, as she is leaving next month we wanted to take this time to share with friends an experience together,” said Amal Lahlou, the wife of the Moroccan ambassador to Korea. “What better way to do that then to learn about traditional Korean food.”

Kang said she met Mostapha and Lahlou at an international conference for high-level women business leaders in Seoul three years ago.

“I like learning about Korean food and, this time, the way kimchi is made in a factory, since last year in Seongbuk-dong we learned how to make it at home at an event in which I was the first prize winner,” Avaze Kasri, the wife of the Iraqi Ambassador to Korea.

“Korea is really a special country,” said Lahlou. “I have been to countries all over the world. In Korea, however, they really treat us like kings. And whenever we have a trip, they organize things very thoroughly.”

“This is a farewell trip, but it’s not good-bye,” said Kang. “The world is very small. There will be many opportunities, and lots of occasions, to meet again someplace else in the world.”