Ahn Cheol-soo Family's Medical Volunteer Work...Highlighting Candidate's Distinction Without 'Family Risk'

The Whole Family Joins Medical Volunteer Service on the Last Day of Seol Holiday

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] On the last day of the Lunar New Year holiday, February 2, Ahn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate of the People’s Party, participated in medical volunteer work together with his wife, Professor Kim Mi-kyung of Seoul National University, and their daughter, Seol-hee. This was the first public event involving the whole family since Seol-hee returned to Korea on January 23, highlighting a distinction from the major party candidates who carry ‘family risks.’

On that day, Candidate Ahn volunteered at the COVID-19 testing site at Jung-gu Public Health Center in Seoul, collecting specimens for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Professor Kim, who is a medical doctor, also participated. Their daughter Seol-hee, who was released from self-quarantine at noon after returning on January 23, assisted with administrative support. Seol-hee, a postdoctoral researcher at UC San Diego in the United States, recently gained media attention when her research team’s study on the transmissibility of the COVID-19 Omicron variant was featured in The New York Times.

In a video titled ‘Ahn Cheol-soo’s Live Show’ released on his YouTube channel the day before, Candidate Ahn mentioned the role of his wife, Professor Kim, if he were elected, citing the example of Jill Biden. Jill Biden, wife of U.S. President Joe Biden, is the first First Lady in American history to commute to the White House while continuing to teach at a university. Candidate Ahn said, “Just as Jill Biden, wife of U.S. President Joe Biden, continues to teach students as a university professor, I think Professor Kim will probably continue her path as an educator because she still has students to teach.”

When asked about the foremost virtue of a First Lady, Professor Kim answered, “Distinguishing between public and private matters.” She stated, “When (Candidate Ahn) becomes president, he will have to perform his duties and do everything he said, and I think I should at least not cause any hindrance.” This remark appears to be directed at Kim Geon-hee, wife of People Power Party presidential candidate Yoon Seok-youl, who recently stirred controversy by releasing a ‘7-hour phone call recording’ file.