First Lady Kim Keon-hee to Skip Accompanying President Yoon on Overseas Visits This Month...Likely to Refrain from Domestic Activities (Comprehensive)

Follow-up Measures After President Yoon's National Address
President Yoon and First Lady Also Change Mobile Phone Numbers

President Yoon Suk-yeol and First Lady Kim Keon-hee are disembarking from Air Force One, their official aircraft, upon returning home after state visits to the Philippines and Singapore and attending the ASEAN +3 meeting in Laos on the 11th of last month at Seongnam Seoul Airport. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

First Lady Kim Keon-hee has decided not to accompany President Yoon Suk-yeol on his overseas trip scheduled for mid-month. It is also reported that President Yoon and the First Lady will change their personal mobile phone numbers, which they have used since before taking office. This is interpreted as a sign of their intention to reform amid rapidly declining approval ratings.

A senior official from the Presidential Office told reporters at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the morning of the 8th, "The First Lady will not accompany (President Yoon Suk-yeol) on the next trip." The Presidential Office explained that this is a follow-up measure to President Yoon's national address and press conference held the previous day.

Earlier, at a press conference, President Yoon said regarding the First Lady's external activities, "Based on the judgment of myself and key aides, activities that are not essential to the national interest have been virtually suspended and will continue to be suspended."

He added, "Since external activities are visible to the public, I believe that if the public likes them, they should continue, and if the public dislikes them, they should not."

However, the decision on whether the First Lady will accompany future trips will be made depending on the circumstances. It is not an absolute refusal to accompany; if her absence would be considered discourteous in diplomatic events between heads of state, or if her attendance is deemed beneficial to the national interest, she may accompany the President.

The First Lady is also expected to refrain from domestic activities. She has mainly participated in activities related to stray dogs and marginalized groups, but attendance at these activities will be carefully decided. It is known that she has no domestic schedule at least until the end of the year.

The Second Secretariat, which will assist the First Lady's activities, officially began its work the day before with the appointment of former Civil Society Secretary Jang Soon-chil as its head. The Second Secretariat is reported to consist of a reception room for external guests and office space for staff.

Unlike the Second Secretariat during the previous Blue House era, the First Lady's office space is not separately designated, and the overall size is said to be less than one-third. The number of staff, including Director Jang, is reportedly in the single digits. Accordingly, the scope of work is expected to be significantly reduced compared to the Blue House period.

In particular, it is reported that President Yoon and the First Lady will soon change the personal mobile phone numbers they have used since before taking office.

This is intended to reduce unofficial communications, such as those involving the controversial Mr. Myeong Tae-gyun, and increase official communications. Regarding the use of personal mobile phones, President Yoon said the previous day, "We will take measures so that the public does not worry or feel upset."

It is reported that President Yoon and the First Lady plan to unify external contacts through official channels as much as possible going forward.

The reason for this decision by President Yoon and the First Lady is largely influenced by the recent sharp decline in approval ratings.

According to a survey conducted by Gallup Korea from the 5th to the 7th, interviewing 1,002 people aged 18 and over nationwide via telephone interviewer (CAIT) method (95% confidence level, margin of error ±3.1 percentage points, response rate 11.8%, as referenced by the Central Election Survey Deliberation Commission), President Yoon's positive job performance rating dropped 2 percentage points from the previous survey to 17%.

A senior official from the Presidential Office said regarding the low approval rating, "We will strive fiercely to gain the trust and confidence of the people through change."

The official explained, "This address was made based on a shared fundamental recognition by the President and the Presidential Office that change is necessary. We have started changes and reforms based on that recognition and plan to continue moving forward."