"Designer Daughter of First Lady Kim Jung-sook Not Korean National"…'National Security' Dispute

President Moon Jae-in and First Lady Kim Jung-sook are conversing at the ceremony honoring the 15th Supreme Patriarch Jungbong Seongpa at Jogyesa Temple in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] Controversy continues over the hiring of Ms. Kim Jung-sook, wife of President Moon Jae-in, as a protocol officer. Following allegations of preferential treatment after Ms. A, the daughter of a regular designer, was hired as a contract employee, concerns about appropriateness have also been raised as Ms. A is known to hold French nationality rather than Korean.

According to a report by YTN on the 2nd, Ms. A, who is working as a contract administrative staff member in the Office of the Secretary for General Affairs, is known to be an overseas Korean with French nationality.

According to Article 26 of the National Public Service Act and related laws, foreigners and dual nationals may be restricted from appointment in areas related to national security or confidential matters. This is because these fields are essential for the existence of the state and the maintenance of the constitutional order, and disclosure of information could harm national interests.

Therefore, concerns have been raised that if Ms. A, who works in close proximity to the presidential couple, holds foreign nationality, it could pose issues related to national secrets.

On the other hand, some voices argue that the protocol duties for the president’s wife, to which Ms. A was appointed, are not among the employment-restricted fields for foreign nationals, and thus there is no problem.

The Blue House reportedly stated to Chosun Ilbo that it has already received legal confirmation through various agencies that there is no issue, and that the duties handled by Ms. A do not involve national secrets.

Meanwhile, TV Chosun raised allegations of preferential hiring on the 31st of last month, reporting that Ms. A, the daughter of a famous designer frequently visited by Mrs. Kim even before President Moon’s election, was hired as a contract employee at the Blue House and was in charge of the presidential couple’s wardrobe.

In response, the Blue House stated that Ms. A was recommended as a trustworthy person with expertise for the relevant duties and was hired through proper procedures. On the 1st, Park Soo-hyun, Senior Secretary for Public Communication at the Blue House, said in an interview with MBC Radio, "For contract positions requiring expertise, recruitment procedures can be followed, but for other contract hires like this, recommendations can be used. There are many such cases, and I do not agree that this should be considered a special issue or receive undue attention."

Blue House Deputy Spokesperson Shin Hye-hyun also said in a written briefing, "Ms. A is an employee working at the residence where the president and his wife live," adding, "Would they be able to work with someone they do not know at all?" She further urged, "Please refrain from baseless speculation."