[Comprehensive] "Different Class" Ruling Party Praises Kim Jung-sook for Secret Volunteer Work at Flood Damage Site

Surprise Visit to Flood Damage Site by First Lady Kim Jung-sook
No Woong-rae Compares Disaster Fashion of Kim Jung-sook and Melania
Kim Geun-sik Tells No Woong-rae "Seems Urgent About Election"

First Lady Kim Jung-sook, wife of President Moon Jae-in, visited Igil-ri, Dongsong-eup, Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon Province on the 12th to assist with flood recovery and comfort the residents. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Kim Jung-sook, the wife of President Moon Jae-in, received praise from ruling party figures after her surprise visit to Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon Province on the 12th to participate in flood recovery volunteer work. Some lawmakers compared Kim’s attire to the high-heel fashion of Melania, wife of U.S. President Donald Trump, praising her by saying, "the class is different."

On the same day, Democratic Party lawmaker Jung Cheong-rae wrote on his Facebook, "She is prouder than any other First Lady. Thank you." Along with the post, Jung shared several photos of Kim wearing a straw hat and rubber gloves while helping with flood recovery.

Former Democratic Party lawmaker Choi Min-hee also praised Kim’s volunteer work. Through Facebook, she said, "The news that Kim arrived quietly at the Cheorwon flood site and helped with recovery" and added, "It will surely be a warm comfort not only to those suffering from the flood but also to the people." Choi posted a photo of Kim carrying a large load, writing, "The First Lady is strong!"

Democratic Party Supreme Council candidate lawmaker Noh Woong-rae also posted a photo on Facebook comparing Kim Jung-sook and Melania Trump.

In a post titled "Why is the First Lady there?" Noh contrasted Melania’s appearance in high heels and sunglasses when Hurricane Harvey hit Texas in August 2017 with Kim’s look, praising, "Flood volunteer fashion! The class is different."

This drew criticism from the United Future Party. On the 13th, Kim Geun-sik, chairman of the United Future Party’s Songpa-byeong district in Seoul and professor at Gyeongnam National University, pointed out Noh’s comparison of Kim and Melania’s outfits on his Facebook.

Kim said, "Unlike the usual pro-Moon stance, he is a moderate and reasonable person, but seeing him go so far to win favor with the pro-Moon hardcore party members is regrettable," sarcastically adding, "I understand it’s because of the closed, inbred election rules of their own league."

He continued, "Still, if you want to compare Kim with Melania, just comparing flood site fashion is insufficient," and pointed out, "You should also compare various controversies related to the First Lady, suspicions of support for the Kyungin line meeting related to Druking, the controversy over refusing to shake hands with opposition leaders at the May 18 memorial ceremony, allegations of scheduling summit diplomacy to fulfill her own bucket list, and the controversy over her outspoken remarks disregarding the president."

Kim added, "It is nice to see a First Lady working hard in simple attire for flood relief, but I also want to see a First Lady like Lee Hee-ho (late wife of former President Kim Dae-jung), who quietly fulfills her role by focusing on her own expertise in women’s and human rights issues," and emphasized, "I also look forward to Noh’s election as Supreme Council member. If he enters the leadership, I hope he returns to his original self and changes the Democratic Party’s political culture."

Meanwhile, on the 12th, Kim visited Igil-ri, Dongsong-eup, Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon Province, which suffered heavy rain damage, to volunteer. Kim’s visit to Cheorwon was a private schedule, but photos of her were revealed to the media through residents. In response, the Blue House said, "Due to many inquiries, we are informing you," and released details and photos of Kim’s volunteer activities.