Accompanying Kim Keon-hee's acquaintance on visit to former President Roh's grave
Despite abolishing the 2nd Secretariat... Two Kobana alumni working at the Presidential Office
Yoon: "Mrs. Kim can't go alone, please advise on how to proceed"
First Lady Kim Keon-hee visited Bongha Village in Jinyeong-eup, Gimhae-si, Gyeongnam Province on the afternoon of the 13th to pay respects at the grave of the late former President Roh Moo-hyun. / Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] President Yoon Suk-yeol has responded to the controversy over the 'accompaniment by an acquaintance' in Bongha Village related to First Lady Kim Keon-hee by explaining that it was a 'private event.' His stance is that "since it was not a public schedule, there is no problem." However, criticism has arisen pointing out that the event was already public and that the president's spouse visiting the grave of a former president cannot simply be seen as a private schedule.
When First Lady Kim visited the grave of the late former President Roh Moo-hyun on the 13th, she was accompanied by Kim Mo, who previously served as an executive director at Kobana Contents, where she was the representative. Kim is currently an adjunct professor in the Department of Dance at Chungnam National University and is known to have served as the head of the Lifestyle Culture and Arts Support Headquarters for President Yoon's election campaign committee as well as an advisory member of the Social Welfare and Culture Subcommittee of the Presidential Transition Committee.
Regarding this, President Yoon said on the 15th while arriving at the Yongsan office, "(Kim Mo) is an old friend of my wife from Busan, whom I also know well. It seems she brought a lot of things like bread that (First Lady Kim) likes when visiting Mrs. Kwon Yang-suk, and she probably guided her to a good place in Busan." He added, "Isn't Bongha Village a place that all citizens can visit?" He then emphasized that "Bongha Village was a private schedule, but I understand it was reported," stressing that it was not a public event.
He continued, "Since this is my first time being president, I am not sure how to distinguish between official and unofficial events... (First Lady Kim) has no official entourage or secretarial team, so she cannot go alone. Please advise on how to handle this," suggesting that the controversy stems from his 'lack of experience' as a first-time president.
President Yoon Suk-yeol is arriving at the Yongsan Presidential Office Building in Seoul on the morning of the 13th. / Yonhap News
However, this is not the first similar controversy. Previously, First Lady Kim caused a 'leak controversy' by providing photos taken with President Yoon inside the presidential office to her personal fan club. This was a public matter conducted in the presidential office, disclosed through private channels. At that time, the Democratic Party criticized, saying, "We are worried that First Lady Kim might be controlling state affairs at will," raising suspicions of 'unofficial influence.'
Following this controversy, it became known that former employees of Kobana Contents were hired by the presidential office, sparking a 'private hiring' controversy. When First Lady Kim visited former President Roh's grave, three others accompanied her besides Kim Mo; all were confirmed to be presidential office staff, and two of them were former employees of Kobana Contents. In response, a presidential office official told the media on the 15th, "Not only President Yoon but other presidents have often worked closely with people they know well and feel comfortable with."
However, this explanation has been criticized as contradictory to President Yoon's abolition of the 'Second Secretariat,' which was responsible for the protocol of the first lady. There is also criticism that First Lady Kim's attitude has changed from her earlier statement that she would focus on 'quiet support.'
As the controversy grows, opinions within the People Power Party are emerging that the Second Secretariat should be reinstated. Regarding this, President Yoon stated, "I will listen to public opinion and consider it gradually."
Professor Lee Jun-han of the Department of Political Science and Diplomacy at Incheon National University said, "President Yoon is strict when punishing others as a special prosecutor but maintains a stance that there is no problem with those around him," adding, "The activities of the president's spouse involve the presidential office budget. If he intends to keep his campaign promise to abolish the Second Secretariat, he should not employ close associates of the First Lady."
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