American football star Hines Ward and his mother Kim Young-hee on Friday visited Gyeongbok and Changdeok Palaces in Seoul.

Ward said he had wanted to go to the two landmarks palaces because of his mother's affection for old castles, adding he was glad to learn of the history of his mother's country.

He then visited Ewha Woman's University Medical Center, where he was born, touring the delivery room and meeting the doctor who supervised his delivery.

In the evening, he attended a welcoming reception hosted by the U.S. Embassy in Seoul.

Ward and his mother will head for the resort island of Jeju after attending the opening game in Seoul of the domestic baseball league.