Who Is Behind and Why Is the Restoration of Mrs. Kim Hyekyung's Birthplace Being Pursued? [Current Affairs Show]

Restoration Committee Formed in July, Nonprofit Status Planned for Next Year
Sixth Cousin Kim Cheolhan Also Participates
Differing Opinions on the Exact Location of Mrs. Kim's Birthplace

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The restoration of the birthplace of Kim Hyekyung, the wife of President Lee Jaemyung, is currently underway. The restoration committee was established in July. There are plans to formalize it as a non-profit corporation around February or March next year and begin full-scale restoration work. Who is behind the restoration of Mrs. Kim's birthplace, and why?

Mrs. Kim's hometown is Daesogang Village, 207-1 San, Songgang-ri, Sancheok-myeon, Chungju, Chungbuk. This is a small village with about 50 households, home to many members of the Andong Kim clan. Mrs. Kim's father lived here, and there are claims that Mrs. Kim was born in Seoul. However, those promoting the restoration assert that Mrs. Kim was born here in 1966 and lived here until the age of three before moving to Seoul. They base this on the presence of old persimmon and apricot trees next to the house, as well as testimonies from Mrs. Kim's sixth cousin and acquaintances who lived near the birthplace.

Birthplace of Mrs. Kim Hyekyung in Songgang-ri, Sancheok-myeon, Jecheon, Chungbuk. Photo by Jeon Youngsun

The Kim Hyekyung Birthplace Restoration Committee (Chairman Jeon Youngsun) was formed on July 3. Chairman Jeon, who lives in Jecheon, is an entrepreneur engaged in seedling cultivation and other businesses. He also serves as the president of the Seongbulsa Temple devotees' association, which is located near the birthplace. Seongbulsa, a branch temple of Beopjusa, is affiliated with the Jogye Order. In a phone interview, Chairman Jeon said, "About 40 people, including Mrs. Kim's sixth cousin Kim Cheolhan (the son of Mrs. Kim's father's older brother) and Seongbulsa devotees, are currently participating in the committee. Our aim is to revitalize local culture, foster pride, and turn the site into a local attraction. The land belongs to a family clan, while the building's surface rights are owned by Seongbulsa. Originally, it was intended to be the residence of the head monk, but the head monk expressed his intention to donate it. The local Democratic Party chairperson has also visited," he added.

The head monk of Seongbulsa Temple said, "The devotees voluntarily formed the committee. Even the local residents did not know the exact location of the birthplace. Thanks to Kim Cheolhan and others, we were able to identify the precise site. The place President Lee Jaemyung visited previously was actually the home of Mr. Kim Cheolhan's grandfather, not Mrs. Kim's birthplace." Choi Byungil, head of Daesogang Village, said, "It is true that Mr. Kim Cheolhan claims this is the house where Mrs. Kim was born. However, some local residents say the information is not accurate. I am not sure if the restoration will proceed smoothly."

The Restoration Committee for Mrs. Kim's Birthplace, mainly composed of Seongbulsa Temple devotees, plans to actively move forward by establishing a non-profit corporation early next year. Photo by Jeon Youngsun

Those promoting the restoration emphasize its value as a historical and cultural asset for the local community. On the other hand, critics argue that it is inappropriate to restore the spouse's birthplace so soon after the launch of the Lee Jaemyung administration. With these differing perspectives coexisting, it remains to be seen whether the restoration will proceed smoothly.

President Lee Jaemyung has visited the village several times. His first visit was on August 7, 2021. Accompanied by Mrs. Kim, he toured the site believed to be her birthplace and met with local residents for conversations. On February 24, 2022, he visited the village without Mrs. Kim. He bowed deeply to the residents and sang the song "Crying and Crossing Bakdaljae" up to the second verse, without any accompaniment. The residents presented him with eggs as a gift.

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Perhaps as a result of these efforts, the voting pattern in Chungju, which was Yoon Sukyeol 52.29% : Lee Jaemyung 43.68% in the 2022 presidential election, was reversed in the June 3 election, with Lee Jaemyung receiving 46.05% and Kim Moonsu 45.19%. The media also reported that the traditionally conservative Chungju in Chungbuk had shifted its support.

Recently, there has been good news for Daesogang Village. At the entrance to the village, there is a small pavilion. When President Lee visited in the past, residents requested that it be expanded. President Lee even said he had asked the city of Chungju and Democratic Party city council members to help, and this time the effort has borne fruit. Approximately 53 million won in project funding was secured through a supplementary budget, and a plan was finalized to build a resident center with a pavilion in Daesogang Village by the end of this year.