At the departure ceremony for President Lee Jae-myung, who left for Canada to attend the Group of Seven (G7) summit, a Western woman dressed in a dark blue traditional Korean robe became a topic of interest as she was captured on camera.
Tamara Mohini, the Canadian ambassador to South Korea, drew attention as she stood out in a simple traditional Korean dress among attendees in Western suits at the departure site on the 16th.
Hanbok designer Hwang Yi-seul posted related photos on social media (SNS), expressing her curiosity, saying, "I just saw the news, and the outfit I made appeared," and asking, "Who is the gray-haired woman standing behind President Lee?" Internet users responded, identifying her as "Tamara Mohini, the Canadian ambassador to South Korea," and praised her choice, saying, "There is no sense of incongruity among suits," and that it was "elegant and modern hanbok styling."
Ms. Hwang noted, "Wearing a hanbok among Western suits is a choice that is both dignified and stylish," adding, "It is a creation that combines the traditional robe and Western formal wear, launched 10 years ago and remains a solid classic to this day."
Ambassador Mohini's love for hanbok is not new. She has worn a variety of hanbok at various official events, including the ceremony for her letter of credence and the 60th anniversary reception of diplomatic relations between Korea and Canada. Throughout the year, she showcases her affection for hanbok, wearing not only the traditional robe but also a Cheollik (a type of ancient military uniform with pleats at the waist and large sleeves), and jackets reminiscent of traditional quilting.
Ambassador Mohini has built her career on various international stages since joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Canada in 1993 and has served as the Canadian ambassador to South Korea since May 2023. She is the first woman to hold this position and is working to enhance economic and security cooperation and cultural exchanges between the two countries.