First Lady Kim Geon-hee: "Will Visit People's Livelihood Anytime If Needed"
Necessity of Secretariat... "Must Leave Basis for Activities and Instructions"
As First Lady Kim Keon-hee, wife of President Yoon Suk-yeol, has recently increased her public appearances significantly, her 'active schedule' has brought renewed attention to the absence of the Second Office. As Kim raises her voice on policy issues such as the eradication of dog meat consumption, there are growing opinions that it is necessary to transparently manage her schedule and messages through an official advisory body.
On the 15th, Kim held a conversation with Catherine Colonna, French Minister of Foreign Affairs, and visited the remodeled French Embassy in Korea to celebrate its reopening. Prior to that, she continued a series of public engagements, including meeting families of abductees and detainees on the 12th, meeting families of fallen and deceased military and police personnel on the 13th, volunteering for mobile laundry services with Saemaul on the 14th, and visiting Taepyeong Traditional Market in Jung-gu, Daejeon.
Kim has informed presidential office officials that she will not hesitate to visit the field of public welfare whenever necessary and fulfill her role as First Lady.
However, as her range of activities has expanded, controversies have also arisen. On the 13th, the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs visited the home of the late Police Officer Yoo Jae-guk, a participant in the 'Heroes Family Program' supporting children of fallen and deceased military and police personnel, where Kim embraced his son, Lee Hyun. Kim reportedly inquired about Lee Hyun’s rehabilitation progress, checked on any difficulties, and gave a toy gift to the child, who was soon to celebrate his birthday.
However, some criticized a photo of Kim holding Lee Hyun, pointing out that the child's posture appeared somewhat uncomfortable and stiff. There were allegations that Kim and the presidential office used the child for photo opportunities.
Lee Kkot-nim, Lee Hyun’s mother, explained through the media that "the child has cerebral palsy, so the posture was due to physical discomfort, and thanks to the consideration of Kim and the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, he had an enjoyable time."
First Lady Kim Geon-hee visited the family of the late Sergeant Yoo Jae-guk, who died in the line of duty while trying to save a citizen's life, before the launch ceremony of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs' 'Heroes Family Program,' a support program for children of fallen and deceased military and police officers, held on the 13th at the 63 Convention Center in Yeouido, Seoul. She is seen embracing the children.
During a recent Southeast Asia tour, Kim was also embroiled in controversy over a photo taken with a child suffering from congenital heart disease, accused of 'poverty porn'?sensationalizing poverty to evoke sympathy.
Critics argued that Kim’s photo was not a natural shot during volunteer work but a 'concept photo' artificially staged with lighting to depict her with the sick child.
At the time, the presidential office rebutted, stating, "There was no use of lighting during Kim’s visit," and added, "We cannot overlook the responsibility for damaging national dignity and interests by repeating false claims."
Although the controversy was resolved as a misunderstanding following explanations from Lee and the presidential office, Kim’s activities have repeatedly sparked debate, highlighting criticism of the absence of the Second Office. When Yoon was a presidential candidate, Kim advocated for 'quiet support' and promised to abolish the Second Office, but with her recent increase in public engagements, there is a growing view that her activities should be managed officially and institutionally.
Jang Kyung-tae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, pointed out that the absence of the Second Office has caused confusion in the command system. On the 17th, during YTN Radio’s 'News King with Park Ji-hoon,' Jang said, "The First Office handles the president, and the Second Office manages the First Lady’s schedule, so in the past, the president’s and First Lady’s instructions were strictly separated. But after merging these offices, even internally, there is confusion about whose instructions take precedence?whether from the president or the First Lady."
Jang added, "To maintain the national governance system and to have a basis for the activities and instructions of the offices, I recommend maintaining the Second Office. Have you seen photos from the presidential office where the message of governance is conveyed? Instead, the photos focus on Kim, and the president appears blurred. I hope at least basic common sense is observed."
Heo Eun-ah, a member of the People Power Party, also sympathized with the background of discussions about reinstating the Second Office. Heo said, "The proposal to abolish the Second Office meant stepping back in various respects. However, as Kim attends major domestic and international events with the president and sometimes undertakes external activities on his behalf, effectively performing the role of a public official, the public seems to be calling for a reconsideration of the Second Office."
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