"Is Kim Geon-hee the President?" Guestbook Controversy... How About Kim Jung-sook?

Supporters of Yeo: "He has written his own name in the past as well"

The guestbook entry left by First Lady Kim Keon-hee, wife of President Yoon Suk-yeol, who visited the United States in the capacity of a state guest, during her visit to the White House on the 25th (local time) has sparked controversy. While writing in the guestbook at the White House residence, Kim wrote "First Lady of the Republic of Korea Kim Keon-hee" below President Yoon's name.

First Lady Kim Keon-hee, wife of President Yoon Suk-yeol, who is on a state visit to the United States, is exchanging prepared gifts with Dr. Jill Biden, wife of U.S. President Joe Biden, at a social event held at the White House residence in Washington, DC, on the 25th (local time).
Photo by Joint Press Corps
Image source: Yonhap News

Netizens focused on the content of the guestbook entry left by President Yoon and the First Lady during the event held at the White House residence in Washington DC on the 25th (local time).

At that time, President Yoon and First Lady Kim wrote in the White House Blue Room guestbook the message "For our global alliance contributing to world peace and prosperity," followed by "President of the Republic of Korea Yoon Suk-yeol," and then "First Lady of the Republic of Korea Kim Keon-hee." Some pro-opposition netizens criticized this, saying, "Are there two presidents in our country?", "First Lady of the Republic of Korea?", and "Why is Kim's name included?"

[Photo by the Presidential Office]

Jang Cheol-young, a former Blue House official photographer, also added his opinion. On the 28th, appearing on KBS Radio, Jang said, "This is the first time I have seen 'First Lady of the Republic of Korea' written," and pointed out, "(There are) occasional cases where the spouse signs the guestbook, but the word 'spouse' is not written. Usually, if the president writes their name, the spouse's name is written just below, but I have never seen the phrase 'First Lady of the Republic of Korea' written below."

Pro-government netizens defended the First Lady by mentioning that former President Moon Jae-in's wife, Kim Jung-sook, also included her name alongside the former president's in the White House guestbook during a past visit to the U.S. At that time, former President Moon wrote, "It was a fruitful meeting. We stayed comfortably. Thank you for the warm hospitality." He signed as "President of the Republic of Korea Moon Jae-in," and Kim Jung-sook wrote her name directly below his.

Although not a president, in January last year during the presidential election period, Kim Hye-kyung, wife of Lee Jae-myung, then the Democratic Party presidential candidate, visited Bongha Village to pay respects at former President Roh Moo-hyun's grave and left a guestbook entry that included the phrase "Spouse of Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung."

There is also an interpretation that the controversy over the First Lady's signature, which was not problematic in the past, stems from the increase in Kim Keon-hee's activities.

During the presidential election period, Kim said she would not use the title of First Lady and would quietly support the president as his wife, but in April alone, she participated in seven external events in one week and had five consecutive days of solo activities.