What’s Happening at President Lee Jaemyung’s Birthplace, Wife’s Family Home, and Maternal Grandmother’s House [Current Affairs Show]

Restoration of President Lee’s Birthplace Underway in Andong with 200 Million Won Investment
Restoration Committee Formed for Wife’s Family Home in Chungju
Private Group Installs Information Board at Maternal Grandmother’s House in Yeongyang

What is the current state of President Lee Jaemyung’s birthplace, his wife’s family home, and his maternal grandmother’s house? Based on information released around the time of the National Assembly audit and additional reporting, here is a summary. The restoration of his birthplace is becoming more concrete, a committee has been formed to promote the restoration of his wife’s family home, and a private organization has installed an information board at his maternal grandmother’s house.

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President Lee’s birthplace, located in Jitong Village, Dochon-ri, Yean-myeon, Andong-si, Gyeongbuk, has attracted many visitors since the 2022 presidential election. However, as it is a remote mountain village, there have been various inconveniences. Currently, Andong City is actively developing the area as a tourist destination. Approximately 200 million won is being invested in various projects. The work began with the installation of a parking lot and improvements to the surrounding environment. The city is also working on installing restrooms and CCTV. Regarding the development of content for the site, the city plans to commission a research study at a cost of about 20 million won.

A signboard has been installed in front of the birthplace of President Lee Jae-myung in Jitong Village, Dochon-ri, Yean-myeon, Andong-si, Gyeongbuk. Photo by Yonhap News

The family home of President Lee’s wife is located at 207-1, San, Daesogang Village, Songgang-ri, Sancheok-myeon, Chungju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do. It is a village of about 50 households, mainly of the Andong Kim clan.

According to Kim Cheolhan, Mrs. Kim Hyekyung’s cousin, Mrs. Kim was born here and lived until she was about three years old, after which she moved to Seoul with her father, Kim Jongjin. In July, about 40 people, mainly devotees of Seongbulsa Temple, formed a restoration promotion committee. The plan is to establish a legal entity early next year and begin full-scale restoration efforts.

The birthplace of Mrs. Kim Hyekyung located in Daesogang Village, Songgang-ri, Sancheok-myeon, Chungju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do.

What about the maternal grandmother’s house? President Lee’s maternal grandmother’s house is located at 12, Cheonggi 2-gil, Cheonggi-myeon, Yeongyang-gun, Gyeongbuk. As the house faces west, local residents call it “Seochondak.” After giving birth to President Lee, his mother, Koo Homyung, is said to have come to her parental home here for postpartum care.

In front of "Seochondak" (with a blue roof) in Cheonggiri, Cheonggi-myeon, Yeongyang-gun, Gyeongbuk, the maternal grandmother's house of President Lee Jae-myung, there is an information board erected by the Yeongyang Saemaeul Association. Photo by Kang Sharon

In August, the Yeongyang Saemaeul Association installed an information board at this location. Below a photo of President Lee with his mother, the board reads “President Lee Jaemyung’s Maternal Grandmother’s House,” and underneath, there is an explanation titled “Koo Duhwe (Seochondak) - Her Grandson Became President.” The description states, “It is said that Mrs. Koo Homyung brought infant Lee Jaemyung here to her parental home, where she received postpartum care in her mother’s embrace.”