Residents Greet First Lady Kim Hye-kyung at Seongnam Traditional Market: "Oh My, It's Been So Long!"

Visit to Kumho Happiness Market in Bundang, Seongnam
Inquiring About the Impact of the Livelihood Coupon Program
Listening to Residents' Voices at Saerongi Saenami House, a Single-Parent Family Welfare Facility

Deputy spokesperson Jeon Eunsoo of the presidential office announced in a written briefing that First Lady Kim Hye-kyung visited Kumho Haengbok Market, the largest traditional market in Bundang-gu, Seongnam City, Gyeonggi Province, on the 22nd. Market vendors and local residents who came to shop warmly welcomed Mrs. Kim, greeting her with phrases such as, "Oh my, it's been so long!", "Are you in good health?", and "You need to take good care of yourself."

During this visit, Mrs. Kim accompanied the head of the Kumho Haengbok Market Merchants Association, who has operated a fruit shop for 30 years, to an optician’s store and inquired about the effects of the Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupon program. An optician responded, "Many people who could not afford to change their glasses have come to us," adding, "The Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupon has had a significant impact." Mrs. Kim then visited a clothing store to purchase pants for her mother using Onnuri gift certificates, and personally bought snacks from a walnut pastry shop to deliver to a welfare facility for single-parent families.

After finishing her market visit, Mrs. Kim went to 'Saerongi Saenami House,' a welfare facility for single-parent families located in Seongnam City. She first listened to an explanation of the facility’s operations from staff members and carefully toured the living spaces of the single-parent families. She also visited the playroom, where she greeted the children and handed out snacks such as walnut pastries and beverages.

At the subsequent meeting, Mrs. Kim listened attentively to the opinions of both facility staff and residents. When a single mother shared, "As the head of the household, I obviously need to work, but if I become independent from the facility, I have nowhere to turn for help if my child suddenly falls ill, which is very difficult," Mrs. Kim replied, "I will pay close attention to institutional improvements so that emergency care systems can function in practice, and I will do my best to contribute, even if only in a small way."

Another resident expressed, "It is emotionally very difficult when the daycare center asks us to bring in a family photo or says things like, 'Maybe your child speaks slowly because you are a single-parent family.'" In response, Mrs. Kim, with tears in her eyes, said, "Raising a child is already challenging, and such social perceptions add an even greater burden. I believe there needs to be ongoing change in how we view different family structures."

As Mrs. Kim left the facility, she expressed her gratitude to the staff who dedicate themselves to supporting the residents and encouraged everyone to join forces in creating a "government for all" that embraces diverse families, including single-parent and single-person households.