[Presidential Candidates and Their Spouses] Unusual Marriage Stories of Presidential Contenders [AK Radio]

Kim Kyungsoo, Kim Moonsoo, and Hong Junpyo: Couples from Yeongnam and Honam
Kim Dongyeon and Yang Hyangja: Workplace Couples
Kim Kyungsoo, Na Kyungwon, and Ahn Cheolsoo: Campus Couples

Editor's NoteThe presidential election race is now in full swing. The People Power Party and the Democratic Party of Korea are currently holding primaries to select their respective presidential candidates. The People Power Party will decide its candidate on May 3, while the Democratic Party may select its candidate as early as April 27. To explore the various sides of the presidential contenders, Asia Economy's YouTube channel 'AK Radio' has launched a special series: ①Presidential Candidates and Religion ②Presidential Candidates and Military Service ③Presidential Candidates and Assets ④Spouses of Presidential Candidates

Kwon Youngguk, a Justice Party presidential primary candidate, and his spouse Song Jeongeun (age 63) were both born in 1963. They first met as high school students at a Catholic church student association in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province. Three years after graduating from high school, they met again in 1983, began to listen to each other's stories, and started dating. They married on August 11, 1990, at Jukdo Catholic Church in Pohang. This was immediately after Kwon was released from prison on July 21, having served one year and six months for leading a strike. Just a week after their wedding, Kwon was placed on a wanted list again and was arrested in February 1991, serving another two years in prison. After his release, Kwon prepared for the bar exam, while Song, who found a job at a small business, supported their family and raised their two children. Han Sanggyun, head of the Workers' Party Promotion Committee (and former head of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions), has also declared his candidacy alongside Kwon. The Justice Party will finalize its presidential candidate on April 30.

The spouse of former South Gyeongsang Province Governor Kim Kyungsoo is Kim Jeongsun (age 58). Kim, who hails from Imjado, Sinan, South Jeolla Province, first met Kim Kyungsoo while he was a student activist at Seoul National University majoring in English education. They became friends as upper and lower classmates, and after graduation, their relationship developed into romance. They married in 1996, when Kim Kyungsoo was working as a National Assembly secretary. During Kim's imprisonment for the 'Druking case,' his wife handled communications with supporters. She also tirelessly appealed to various figures for his pardon and reinstatement. On April 14, she accompanied Kim when he visited former President Moon Jae In at Pyeongsan Village in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province.

The spouse of Kim Dongyeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, is Jeong Wooyoung (age 68), who was born in Nonsan, South Chungcheong Province. Kim and Jeong first met as colleagues at Seoul Trust Bank. Kim persistently sent Jeong postcards, and they married in 1983. After marriage, Jeong continued working at the bank and earned a master's degree in early childhood education. Kim, who is from Eumseong, North Chungcheong Province, calls himself "the son of Chungcheong." Because Jeong is from South Chungcheong, Kim is sometimes referred to as "the son of North Chungcheong and the son-in-law of South Chungcheong." Jeong mainly grew up in Cheonan, attending elementary, middle, and high school there. Her grandfather, Jeong Bongmo, was the first chief judge of Cheonan District Court, and his bust stands in the lobby of the Cheonan Branch Court.

Kim Moonsoo, former Minister of Employment and Labor, and his spouse Seol Nanyeong (age 72) were "comrades." In the summer of 1978, when Kim was the union leader at Hanil Dorco in the Guro Industrial Complex, he met Seol, who was then the union leader at Sejin Electronics. Their relationship deepened when Kim, wanted by the authorities, hid in Seol's rented room. Although Kim proposed, Seol initially refused, believing it would be difficult to balance labor activism and married life. The two eventually married in 1981, holding a wedding without invitations or a wedding dress. The ceremony was tense, with police vehicles stationed nearby. Seol was born in Goheung, South Jeolla Province, and grew up in Suncheon.

The spouse of Na Kyungwon, a People Power Party lawmaker, is Kim Jaeho, Chief Judge of Chuncheon District Court (age 62, appointed last February). The two were campus sweethearts at Seoul National University's law school, class of 1982. They began dating in their sophomore year, 1983, and married in 1988. Kim passed the 31st bar exam and is a member of the 21st class of the Judicial Research and Training Institute. Na is a member of the 24th class. Kim has served as a presiding judge at Seoul High Court and as chief judge at Pyeongtaek Branch of Suwon District Court.

Ahn Cheolsoo, a People Power Party lawmaker, and Kim Mikyung (age 61), professor of forensic medicine at Seoul National University College of Medicine, were also campus sweethearts. Ahn entered university in 1980, and Kim in 1981. They first met in a university medical volunteer club. Kim was a first-year resident when they married in 1988. After marriage, Kim earned her doctorate at Seoul National University and worked as a physician. She later studied abroad, graduating from Washington State University and obtaining a New York State attorney's license. In 2023, the couple completed a full marathon together.

Yang Hyangja, former lawmaker, and her spouse Choi Yongbae were colleagues at the same company. In a media interview, Yang said, "My husband played a big role as a teacher when it came to semiconductors. Even at home, we often talked about how memory semiconductor processes work. Our roles have almost reversed; my husband is very family-oriented." When Yang first announced her intention to enter politics, Choi said, "If you go into politics, let's get divorced," but at the time, then party leader Moon Jae In personally met Choi and persuaded him. Choi was born in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province, and attended school in Busan.

Choi Eunyoung (age 56), wife of Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeongbok, is ten years Yoo's junior from elementary school. They did not know each other from the start; they first met in 1999 through a family introduction when Yoo was the elected mayor of Gimpo. Choi was born in Dong-gu, Incheon, and graduated from Sookmyung Women's University. She not only helps with on-site campaigning but also appears on Yoo's YouTube channel, 'Yoo Jeongbok TV,' to promote her husband. Choi once described Yoo as "someone who is said to be overly responsible and too precise with people, so he may not be very affectionate, but he is warm and comfortable with his family."

Former Representative Lee Jae Myung and his spouse Kim Hye Kyung watching the vote count broadcast of last April's general election. Photo by Yonhap News

The hometown of Kim Hye Kyung (age 59), wife of former Representative Lee Jae Myung, is Chungju, North Chungcheong Province. In 1990, she met Lee, who was then working as a lawyer, through an introduction by her third sister-in-law Park Inbok. It was Lee's third blind date, and he reportedly fell for her at first sight. He proposed on their fourth meeting. Kim opened her heart to Lee, who candidly shared his life and even showed her his diary, and they married in 1991, just six months after meeting. Lee once wrote about Kim: "She was someone who went to church on Sundays. She was gentle and warm, bright and cheerful. I loved spending time with her. Many things about her were unfamiliar to me, but I liked all those unfamiliar things." On November 14, 2024, ahead of the 20th presidential election, Kim was sentenced to a fine of 1.5 million won in the first trial for the alleged personal misuse of a corporate card. The prosecution requested a fine of 3 million won ahead of the appellate court's verdict.

Lee Cheolwoo, Governor of North Gyeongsang Province, and his spouse Kim Jaedeok are both teachers. In 1980, when Lee was a math teacher at Sinpyeong Middle School in Uiseong, North Gyeongsang Province, Kim was a music teacher there. This is why the two often sing singer Lee Mi Ja's "Island Village Teacher" during election campaigns.

The spouse of Han Donghoon, former People Power Party leader, is Jin Eunjeong (age 50), a U.S. attorney working at Kim & Chang. Han is one year ahead of Jin at Hyundai High School and Seoul National University Law School. Jin's father is Jin Hyunggu, former head of the Public Security Department at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office. Han and Jin met in college and married in 2002, when Han was a rookie prosecutor at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office. Jin studied at Columbia Law School in the United States and obtained her New York State attorney's license in 2006. After working at KPMG and other companies, she joined Kim & Chang, where she handles HR, labor, pharmaceuticals, and environmental matters.

Former Daegu Mayor Hong Junpyo raised his hand together with his wife Lee Sunsam as he declared his candidacy for the 21st presidential election at the Camp office in Daehabuilding, Yeouido, Seoul, on April 14. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Lee Sunsam (age 70), wife of former Daegu Mayor Hong Junpyo, was very active during the "impeachment period." She attended a rally against the impeachment of former President Yoon at Dongdaegu Station Square and uploaded a commemorative photo with Korean history instructor Jeon Hangil to social media. She was also present when Hong declared his presidential bid on April 14. Lee's hometown is Buan, North Jeolla Province. She graduated from Gunsan Girls' Commercial High School and first met Hong while working as a bank teller near Korea University. Hong, smitten with Lee, would often visit the bank just to see her. He passed the bar exam on his fifth attempt in 1982, and Lee supported him behind the scenes. During the last presidential election, Lee served as the head of Hong's campaign fundraising committee and actively supported her husband. Lee once described Hong as "a soft man in front of me."