Kim Geon-hee warmly lifts a Cambodian child in joy

Rota Gun Successfully Undergoes Heart Disease Surgery
Invited to Presidential Office for Celebration... Playing Soccer Ball with President Yoon

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] President Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife invited Rota, a Cambodian boy who underwent heart surgery in Korea, to the Yongsan Presidential Office on the 31st of last month. First Lady Kim Geon-hee warmly embraced Rota, expressing her delight upon reuniting with him. Seeing this, President Yoon smiled and reportedly said, "Be careful not to drop him."

Rota is a patient whom First Lady Kim met in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in November last year. Afterward, Rota came to Korea and underwent heart surgery at Seoul Asan Medical Center. First Lady Kim also visited Seoul Asan Medical Center on December 21 last year to meet Rota, who was recovering after the surgery.

First Lady Kim Keon-hee is seen embracing Rota, a Cambodian child recovering from heart surgery, whom she invited to the Yongsan Presidential Office building in Seoul on the 31st of last month. Photo by the Presidential Office

Kim Eun-hye, the presidential office's chief spokesperson, stated in a briefing that day, "President Yoon met Rota, who had safely completed heart surgery and was preparing to return home, gave him a soccer ball as a gift, and played soccer with him to celebrate his recovery."

Also, when Rota mentioned that he had never played soccer due to his heart condition, President Yoon spontaneously engaged in 'ball lifting'?passing the soccer ball back and forth with him.

On that day, President Yoon said, "I am grateful to everyone who helped Rota receive safe treatment and return to Cambodia." First Lady Kim also expressed her gratitude, saying, "Everything that has happened since I met Rota in Cambodia feels like a miracle," and "Many people have helped us."

Present at the event were medical staff from Seoul Asan Medical Center and corporate representatives from Korean Air and others who brought Rota to Korea. Rota gave the presidential couple a flower-decorated postcard with a thank-you message as a gift.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is meeting Rota, a Cambodian boy, at the Yongsan Presidential Office building in Seoul, exchanging a soccer ball./Photo by the Presidential Office