South Korean First Lady Kim Jung-sook has a special connection to India: according to legend, she is a descendant of an Indian princess named Suriratna, who married a South Korean king in the 1st century AD.
Suriratna’s story is recorded in the Samguk Yusa, a 13th-century Korean chronicle. It tells that Suriratna was the daughter of an Indian king who had a dream in which a god told him to send his daughter to Korea to marry the king of a small kingdom called Geumgwan Gaya. The god said that Suriratna’s marriage would bring peace and prosperity to both kingdoms.
Suriratna obeyed the god’s command and traveled to Korea with a large entourage. She was greeted by King Suro and his people, and they were married soon after her arrival. Suriratna quickly became a beloved figure in Korea, and she is credited with introducing many new cultural and technological advancements to the kingdom. She is said to have brought with her knowledge of sericulture, silkworm farming, and weaving, which helped to establish Korea as a major producer of silk.
Suriratna also introduced new foods and medicines to Korea, and she is said to have founded the first school in the kingdom. She was a devout Buddhist, and she helped to spread the religion throughout Korea.
Suriratna and King Suro had twelve children together, and their descendants founded many of the most powerful clans in Korea. Today, over six million Koreans trace their lineage back to Suriratna.
First Lady Kim Jung-sook is one of those six million people. In a 2018 interview, she said that she is “proud” of her Indian heritage and that she hopes to help strengthen the relationship between India and South Korea.
In 2018, First Lady Kim Jung-sook visited Ayodhya, India, the believed birthplace of Suriratna. She visited the Suriratna Memorial and met with Indian officials to discuss ways to promote cultural exchange between India and South Korea.
First Lady Kim Jung-sook’s connection to Suriratna is a reminder of the long and rich history of cultural exchange between India and Korea. It is also a symbol of the close ties between the two countries today.
Significance of First Lady Kim Jung-sook’s Connection to Suriratna
First Lady Kim Jung-sook’s connection to Suriratna is significant for a number of reasons. First, it serves as a reminder of the long and rich history of cultural exchange between India and Korea. Suriratna’s story is one of the earliest examples of cultural exchange between the two countries, and it is a story that is still celebrated today.
Second, First Lady Kim Jung-sook’s connection to Suriratna is a symbol of the close ties between India and South Korea today. The two countries have a strong relationship in a number of areas, including trade, investment, and security. First Lady Kim Jung-sook’s visit to India in 2018 was a further sign of the commitment of the two countries to strengthening their relationship.
Finally, First Lady Kim Jung-sook’s connection to Suriratna is a source of inspiration for people in both India and South Korea. Suriratna’s story is a story of courage, determination, and the power of one person to make a difference in the world. She is a role model for women everywhere, and her story is a reminder that anything is possible if we have the courage to follow our dreams.
First Lady Kim Jung-sook’s connection to Suriratna is a significant one, both for her personally and for the relationship between India and South Korea. It is a reminder of the long and rich history of cultural exchange between the two countries, and it is a symbol of the close ties that they share today. Suriratna’s story is also a source of inspiration for people in both countries, and it is a reminder that anything is possible if we have the courage to follow our dreams.
