Lula lost his pinky finger in a past lathe accident
The Blue House prepared custom-made gloves for his visit to the National Cemetery
Online users say it is “moving” and praise that “This is Korea”
On the 23rd, President Lula showing custom-made gloves to his wife ahead of a visit to the National Cemetery. Screenshot from President Lula's YouTube channel.
As Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva wrapped up his first state visit to Korea in 21 years, the gloves prepared by the Korean government for his visit to the National Cemetery drew attention. The government had custom-made gloves without a left pinky finger for President Lula, who lost his left pinky in a past lathe accident. Online users have been reacting enthusiastically, calling it "meticulous protocol" and saying "Korea, as expected."
On the 24th, President Lula uploaded a video titled "Upgrading Relations Between Korea and Brazil" on his YouTube channel. The video also included footage of his visit to the Seoul National Cemetery on the morning of the 23rd during his stay in Korea.
Meticulous protocol embodied in gloves without a pinky finger
On the 23rd, President Lula showed his wife custom-made gloves ahead of a visit to the National Cemetery. Screenshot from President Lula's YouTube channel.
Before paying his respects, President Lula appeared surprised when he saw the shape of the white glove for his left hand as he was putting it on. While putting on the left glove, he noticed that there was no section for the pinky finger and seemed to show his surprise as he showed the glove to his wife, Rosangela da Silva, who was standing next to him. It is known that President Lula lost fingers on his left hand while working at a factory as a child. It appears that the Korean government took this into consideration and prepared custom-made gloves.
Domestic online users who saw this scene reacted enthusiastically, saying things like, "He must have been moved by such thoughtfulness; our country is wonderful," "This kind of detail, containing genuine sincerity, is more precious than any grand treatment," "I want to find whoever was in charge of protocol and give them an award right away," "This is what state protocol and a nation should be," "I am deeply moved myself," and "Korea, as expected."
Two former child laborers who met as presidents
President Lee Jaemyung posted an AI video on X (formerly Twitter) on the 23rd with the caption "Two former child laborers met after becoming presidents." Screenshot from President Lee Jaemyung's X video.
During this visit, attention also focused on the strikingly similar life trajectories of President Lee Jaemyung and President Lula. President Lula lost his left pinky finger while working as a lathe operator in his childhood. President Lee likewise shares common ground, having worked as a child laborer in his teens and suffering an accident in which his left arm was crushed by a press machine.
After the summit, President Lee posted a video created using artificial intelligence (AI) on X (formerly Twitter), writing, "Two former child laborers met after becoming presidents." The video shows photos of the two men from the time when they were child laborers, then naturally transitions to an image of these boys embracing each other, and finally to a scene of them, now presidents, hugging in front of the Blue House.
President Lee wrote, "Two former child laborers met after becoming presidents. We carry wounds, but they are not scars. We gained wisdom about life through labor, and we went through adversity, but the people saved us. That is why we are brothers," adding, "I present this video as a gift to my brother, President Lula." President Lula later shared President Lee's post and video on his own X account, leaving the message, "With a big hug to my brother, President Lee."
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