Wearing a T-shirt That Says "I Am Proud of My Wife," Kim Campaigns
Targets Yoo Si-min's Remarks: "Former First Lady Kwon Yangsook Also Dropped Out of a Women's Commercial High School"
Kim Moonsoo, the presidential candidate for the People Power Party, stated on May 31, "A person's wisdom does not come from having an impressive academic background," and pointed out, "It is problematic that our society is overly focused on academic credentials."
During a joint campaign rally held in Hongcheon, Gangwon Province, Kim said, "Former President Kim Daejung graduated from Mokpo Commercial High School, and former President Roh Moo-hyun graduated from Busan Commercial High School," adding, "Former First Lady Kwon Yangsook, the wife of President Roh, dropped out of a women's commercial high school."
Kim made these remarks in response to writer Yoo Si-min, who criticized Kim's wife, Seol Nanyeong, saying, "She has taken on a role that is beyond her capacity."
Kim said, "Does one have to be a university graduate to become First Lady?" and continued, "People pretend to be smart as if graduating from university is a requirement, but my older sisters and brothers who did not attend university are wealthier and smarter than me."
He emphasized, "I never judge people by their academic background or think, 'That person only graduated from high school, so they must be a bad person or lack ability.' I absolutely do not do that." Kim also wrote on Facebook that day, "I will create a society without discrimination based on educational background."
Kim added, "My wife has always supported me, even during difficult times and when I was in prison. She never turned her back on me. I love and cherish my wife." He also showed a T-shirt that read, "I am proud of my wife."
Kim also addressed Lee Jaemyung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, saying, "You say that from now on it will be the real Republic of Korea. Does that mean everything before was fake?" He added, "Since getting married, I have never once claimed to be single when I was outside."
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