Minister Kim Hyun-sook of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Attends Meeting
Likely to Continue Efforts to Support the Vulnerable
[Asia Economy Reporters Hyunju Lee and Gimin Lee] First Lady Kim Geon-hee met with single-parent families on the 20th and stated, "We will strive to ensure that social support systems are backed by improved awareness." Known for her interest in accompanying the underprivileged, First Lady Kim took the opportunity during the year-end and New Year season to meet with single-parent families and exchange opinions.
According to the Presidential Office and political circles, First Lady Kim attended a single-parent family event held at an undisclosed location in Yeouido in the afternoon, invited by the Korea Single-Parent Family Welfare Facility Association.
The Presidential Office explained that the event was organized for the first time this year through the joint efforts of the Korea Single-Parent Family Welfare Facility Association, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, and First Lady Kim, to bring together single-parent families and facility workers for mutual communication and encouragement. It was also reported that Kim Hyun-sook, Minister of Gender Equality and Family, who oversees single-parent family affairs, was present at the event.
First Lady Kim listened attentively to the various stories of single-parent families and emphasized, "We will work to improve awareness of single-parent families and ensure that social support systems are in place. We will actively support not only the childcare needs of children from single-parent families but also help single parents grow within society."
She also expressed her gratitude, saying, "I deeply appreciate the dedication and efforts of related organizations and volunteers who have supported single-parent families facing difficult circumstances."
First Lady Kim participated in a performance with the event attendees to proclaim the vision "Let Us Fly Toward the World Together." Additionally, she reunited with a single-parent family she had met during a private visit to a single-parent family welfare facility in Seoul last September, in which she participated in volunteer activities, and inquired about their well-being and offered encouragement.
First Lady Kim has continued her efforts to care for marginalized groups and the underprivileged, and this is expected to continue. Last month, during President Yoon’s Southeast Asia tour, she visited the Hebron Medical Center and Andoung Hospital in Cambodia, both established by Koreans, to discuss medical support plans, and encouraged Rota, a 14-year-old boy with heart disease. When Rota was scheduled for reoperation in Korea earlier this month, she sent a video message to cheer him on.
Recently, First Lady Kim attended a volunteer activity organized by the Saemaul Undong Central Association, delivering daily necessities to elderly residents of a rooming house village in Busan alongside the MZ generation. Just before this volunteer work, she visited ‘Mongsil Coffee’ in Geumjeong-gu, Busan, a business started by young adults who grew up in child care facilities, to offer encouragement. It is also reported that she plans to attend an event related to abandoned dogs later this month.
Another ruling party official stated, "First Lady Kim’s intention is to personally visit and take care of areas that are difficult to show interest in unless examined once more within the institutional framework, especially places where protection systems are hard to establish without raising voices." The official added, "Her efforts will continue going forward."
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