By Na Jeong-ju
Staff Reporter
First lady Kim Yoon-ok offered a glimpse of Korean traditional cuisine, or hansik, to viewers around the world, Monday, cooking some famous dishes during an interview with the American cable news network CNN.
The interview, recorded at Cheong Wa Dae, Friday, was the first part of CNN's special series, "Eye on South Korea," which will focus on the country's efforts to overcome the economic crisis and globalize its traditional culture and food.
Kim cooked japchae (a mixture of noodles, meat and vegetables) and nokttu bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes), usually served here on festive days and celebrations, and introduced President Lee Myung-bak's favorite dishes.
"The most attractive part of hansik is that it is of the same origin as medicine. We have a full range of healthy foods," Kim said. "I believe hansik, the essence of Korean traditions and history, will help foreigners better understand Korea and the Korean people and make their dietary culture richer."
The 62-year-old, currently serving as the honorary chairwoman of the government's steering committee for hansik globalization, has been actively promoting Korean foods as part of efforts to improve the country's overseas image.
She believes hansik has great potential to become a new trend in global culinary culture.
While accompanying President Lee on a visit to the United States last month, she invited some 50 U.S. veterans who fought in South Korea during the 1950-53 Korean War and their families to eat Korean foods that she cooked.
Kim made kimchi together with Japanese first lady Miyuki Hatoyama when the latter visited Seoul with her husband early this month.
President Lee recently instructed the Cabinet and Korean diplomats to serve Korean foods instead of Western foods during receptions for foreign guests. He made a toast with Korean rice wine, makgeolli, during a reception for foreign diplomats at Cheong Wa Dae last week.