Korean President Park Geun-hye plans to wear a headscarf to cover herself during her historic visit to Iran to observe the country's strict religious dress code policies, a government source said Saturday.
In her first trip next month to the Islamic republic since the two countries forged diplomatic relations in 1962, Park will wear a hijab, a veil that covers the head and chest worn by Muslim women, the source said on condition of anonymity.
Her trip from May 1 to 3 will mark a historic event as it would be the first time that a non-Muslim female leader has made an official visit to the country.
She is set to visit the resource-rich Middle Eastern nation as part of efforts to strengthen business ties as Iran has emerged as a lucrative business destination following the lifting of international sanctions earlier this year.
Park will meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to discuss business cooperation in a wide range of sectors including infrastructure, industrial plants and energy-related areas, her office said earlier.
Park, who has often shown off Korean traditional attire in past state visits, covered her head with white shayla, a long rectangular scarf, when she visited landmark mosque in the United Arab Emirates in March 2015. (Yonhap)