| Chinese first lady Peng Liyuan, right, escorted by Cho Yoon-sun, senior presidential secretary for political affairs, looks around Changdeok Palace in Seoul, Thursday. / Yonhap |
By Jun Ji-hye
When Chinese first lady Peng Liyuan got off the presidential plane in Korea with President Xi Jinping, her fashion sense caught the attention of the media.
The two arrived in Seoul Thursday for Xi's two-day state visit.
Peng was dressed in a green blouse and a black pencil skirt with a beige bolero jacket.
Accessories such as white pearl earrings and a black clutch bag with simple black shoes added style to her first lady look.
As President Park Geun-hye has also been a focus of media attention for her fashion sense during previous state tours, the two's fashion choices are expected to create a buzz during the visit.
This is Peng's first trip to Seoul.
While Xi held a summit with Park Thursday afternoon, Peng, who changed into a white dress with a deep green flower-shaped brooch, visited some cultural relics.
Watchers say Peng's white dress showed her respect for the people in Korea as, from ancient times, foreigners have called Koreans the "white-clad race," giving emphasis on their cleanliness and peace-loving attitude.
Cho Yoon-sun, senior presidential secretary for political affairs, escorted the first lady in her visit to palaces, including Changdeok Palace in downtown Seoul.
Peng wrapped up her schedule for the day at a state dinner at the presidential office of Cheong Wa dae.
Peng, who was a renowned Chinese contemporary folk singer and performing artist, is regarded as an icon of the soft power in Beijing, successfully softening her husband's strong image.
She holds the rank of major-general and was already popular among Chinese people even before getting married to Xi in 1987.
China's recent first ladies have tended to take a backseat to their spouses and stayed behind the scenes, but Peng has behaved actively as the first lady of one of the world's top powerhouses, opening an era of first lady diplomacy.
She often draws comparisons with her U.S. counterpart Michelle Obama and former French first lady Carla Bruni, both of whom have been seen regularly at diplomatic events.
Whenever Peng accompanies Xi on state visits, her fashions and refined manner have gotten international attention.
A dark blue trench coat she wore during a visit to Russia in March rapidly gained popularity, resulting in a significant sales increase.
Last year, the United States' magazine Vanity Fair picked Peng as the world's most fashionable first lady.
Follow Jun Ji-hye on Twitter @TheKopJihye