First lady Kim Keon-hee continues to make public appearances despite debate

Politics

Published: 19 Jun. 2022, 18:52

First lady Kim Keon-hee continues to make public appearances despite debate

President Yoon Suk-yeol, left, and first lady Kim Keon-hee walk past soldiers lined up at the War Memorial of Korea in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on June 17. [YONHAP]

As the debate drags on over what sort of role she should be playing as first lady, Kim Keon-hee continues to meet with the wives of political leaders and attend official events.

Kim held a private meeting with Kim Jung-sook, wife of former President Moon Jae-in, in Seoul on Friday, and also met with Lee Soon-ja, widow of late former president Chun Doo Hwan, the day before.

An official of former president Moon said the current presidential office requested the meeting. Tea was arranged for the meet-up as Kim Jung-sook came to Seoul from her current residence in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang.

For the meeting with Lee, the first lady went to Lee’s residence in Yeonhui-dong of Seodaemun District, western Seoul, in the afternoon and talked with her for about 90 minutes.

“[Kim] has been planning on meeting with the wives of former presidents one by one and listening to their advice,” said an official from the president’s office in a briefing last Thursday. She has already met with the wives of other former presidents including Lee Myung-bak and Roh Moo-hyun.

Kim also met with 11 wives of lawmakers recently re-elected for their fourth term or more at a luncheon on June 14. During the lunch at MND Convention in Yongsan District, central Seoul, she thanked them for their support during the last presidential election expressed her own support for them in their renewed terms. Kim is said to have showed interest in volunteering if the wives of the lawmakers ever gather for such a cause.

Besides her private gatherings with other wives, Kim Keon-hee has also been seen making an occasional appearance at official events without President Yoon Suk-yeol. On June 18, she attended a concert commemorating a late Air Force major in Jongno District, central Seoul. Major Shim Jeong-min died in January in a crash some minutes after he took off from an Air Force base in Suwon in an F-5E fighter. She wrote in the guest book that his sacrifice is like the spirit that guards Korea.

Some lawmakers argue there may be a need for a system that manages the first lady’s schedules as she continues to make various appearances.

Lee Jun-seok, head of the People Power Party, made a comment on a radio show implying that many people think at least minimal management for Kim's official activities might be necessary, as the safety of the first lady is important.

BY LEE SUN-MIN, HYEON YE-SEUL [lee.sunmin@joongang.co.kr]