Presidential Election 'Spouse Competition' Also Begins... Cautiously Held 'Privately' for Now

Kim Hye-kyung, Private Schedule Starting Tomorrow
Kim Geon-hee, Timing of Appearance Still Being Coordinated

Yoon Seok-yeol, the spouse of the People Power Party's presidential candidate, Kim Geon-hee (left), and Lee Jae-myung, the spouse of the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, Kim Hye-kyung (right). Each at a public apology press conference.

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] As the official presidential election campaign begins, attention is also focused on the public activities of the candidates' spouses. Since both Lee Jae-myung and Yoon Seok-yeol, the candidates from the ruling and opposition parties, have faced spouse-related risks, they are currently adopting a strategy of keeping their spouses as low-profile as possible and showing sincerity through 'private' activities.

Lee Hae-sik, a member of the Democratic Party and head of the Spouse Office at the party's election campaign committee, said in a phone interview with this paper on the 14th that regarding whether Kim Hye-kyung, spouse of Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung, will resume her schedule, "She will start private schedules from tomorrow (the 15th)" and "We are reviewing schedules intended to assist the candidate's nationwide campaign tours."

Although there were previous controversies such as 'excessive protocol,' since Kim showed a willingness to take responsibility through a public apology press conference on the 9th, it has been judged that she should resume supporting candidate Lee's campaign as soon as possible. However, rather than appearing with the candidate at official events as before, it is expected that she will take a humble approach through private activities to demonstrate the sincerity of her apology.

The People Power Party's campaign headquarters is still coordinating opinions on whether Kim Geon-hee, spouse of People Power Party presidential candidate Yoon Seok-yeol, will make a public appearance. Kim has also been embroiled in various controversies such as the '7-hour audio recording' scandal and allegations of stock price manipulation, making it inevitable to consider public opinion. A campaign headquarters official said, "The campaign headquarters has reviewed it, but the decision on whether to appear is still undecided," adding, "Internal consensus has not been fully reached. Opinions among decision-makers are very diverse."

Within the campaign headquarters, it is known that there are considerable concerns that various suspicions surrounding Kim might be reignited. As the polls between the two candidates are predicted to be extremely close until the end, some argue that to minimize risks, she should not appear publicly, while others believe that once official election activities begin, Kim will have to appear at least once.

Kim herself is reported to have expressed that private schedules are possible. A campaign headquarters official explained, "Kim has said that if proposals are made considering various circumstances within the campaign headquarters, she will actively consider participating as long as her physical condition allows," adding, "There is a strong opinion that activities such as volunteer work, involving people who need social help, would be preferable."

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