Park Ji-won: "Kim Geon-hee, who visited Daegu Seomun Market, acted not as First Lady but as President"

First Lady Kim Geon-hee Visits Daegu Seomun Market on the 11th
"Intends to Spread Yoon's Support Ahead of the Party Convention"

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] Former National Intelligence Service Director Park Ji-won commented on First Lady Kim Geon-hee's visit to Daegu Seomun Market ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, saying, "Looking at it now, she is acting not as the First Lady but as the President."

Earlier, on the 11th, First Lady Kim visited Daegu Seomun Market, known as the "number one conservative political district."

On the 12th, former Director Park appeared on CBS Radio's "Kim Hyun-jung's News Show" and said, "It is natural for First Lady Kim to participate in external events like that. All First Ladies have done so," adding, "I do not oppose it. She did well."

However, former Director Park argued that a second secretariat to assist the First Lady should be established. He said, "There is no First Lady's secretariat, and she is managed by the Presidential Office, isn't she? That could lead to misunderstandings later." He continued, "The President and the spouse should be somewhat distinguished," emphasizing, "Just wait and see. There will definitely be attacks like 'Who does she think she is, the President?'"

Former National Intelligence Service Director Park Ji-won.
Photo by Yonhap News

He analyzed that the background of First Lady Kim's visit to Daegu Seomun Market was to spread Yoon's influence ahead of the People Power Party's leadership election. Former Director Park said, "In the leadership election, former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min from TK (Daegu·Gyeongbuk), who represents public sentiment, and former lawmaker Na Kyung-won, who represents party sentiment, are both being prevented from running," adding, "So, to elect a candidate who has Yoon's support as a representative, wouldn't a symbolic visit to Daegu Seomun Market make people think that way? I might be wrong."

Former Director Park also said, "She visited Daegu Seomun Market before Lunar New Year, but I think it would be good if she also visited Gwangju Yangdong Market as a symbol of Yeonghonam integration."