Cho Yoon-sun (L3) shows Changdeok Palace in downtown Seoul to PengLiyuan (R), July 3, 2014. [Photo/IC]

The South Korean government has invited Chinese President Xi Jinping's wife Peng Liyuan many times to visit the country, together with her husband, as its President, Park Geun-hye, is single and it was worried her Chinese counterpart would visit alone, according to local daily Chosun Ilbo.

While her husband sat down with Park, the Chinese first lady was accompanied by Cho Yoon-sun, the senior presidential secretary for political affairs. It was an exception for Cho to play the role.

There are many other countries which need a deputized 'first lady' or even a "first partner" when receiving head of state couples.

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