CULTURAL RESPECT

 She didn’t just attend a state banquet. She wore history.

During President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s state visit to South Korea in February 2026, Brazil’s First Lady, Rosângela Lula da Silva, widely known as Janja, appeared at the official dinner in Seoul wearing a traditional Korean hanbok. The moment was reported by major South Korean outlets including The Korea Times and Korea JoongAng Daily, as well as Brazilian publication Veja. The garment was presented within the framework of cultural exchange between her and South Korea’s First Lady, Kim Hea Kyung.

The hanbok, traditionally composed of a structured jeogori jacket and flowing chima skirt, carries centuries of Korean heritage and is worn during important ceremonies and national celebrations. Reports noted that the two first ladies visited Seoul’s historic Gwangjang Market together to select fabric before the formal event. The final outfit, described as pastel-toned, was custom prepared for the banquet.

At first glance, it might look like ceremonial fashion diplomacy. But friends, symbolism in international politics is rarely accidental. Clothing becomes a visual language, especially when leaders are measured in every word and gesture.

This was less about style and more about signaling cultural respect during a visit focused on strengthening bilateral ties in trade, technology, and cooperation.

Sometimes diplomacy speaks through fabric.