First Lady Kim Geon-hee Holds 1 Hour 30 Minute Talk with First Lady Kwon Yang-sook in Bongha Village

Visiting the Tomb of Former President Roh

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Kim Geon-hee, wife of President Yoon Seok-yeol, visited Bongha Village in Gimhae, Gyeongnam on the 13th to pay respects at the grave of the late former President Roh Moo-hyun and to meet with Kwon Yang-sook.

On the day, Mrs. Kim took the KTX train, got off at Jinyeong Station, transferred to a minibus, and arrived at the entrance of the residence where Mrs. Kwon was staying around 2:30 p.m.

Wearing a white shirt and black suit, Mrs. Kim was welcomed by about 150 residents and others who shouted, "Welcome, nice to see you," and applauded. In response, Mrs. Kim bowed her head two or three times and headed toward the grave of former President Roh.

From Mrs. Kwon’s side, Chief Secretary Jo Ho-yeon and Director Cha Seong-su of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation came out to guide Mrs. Kim. Mrs. Kim offered flowers, incense, and observed a moment of silence at the former president’s grave.

She inquired about the stone slabs engraved with messages from supporters around the large flat rock where former President Roh is buried and received explanations about the surrounding geography.

Later, Mrs. Kwon came out to the entrance of the residence with a smile to greet Mrs. Kim, and from 3 p.m., a private conversation between Mrs. Kwon and Mrs. Kim took place for about an hour and a half.

Mrs. Kim conveyed that she has long respected former President Roh along with President Yoon and seemed to have sought advice regarding the role and responsibilities of a presidential spouse. During his presidential campaign, President Yoon was moved to tears when mentioning former President Roh at Gangjeong Village in Jeju.

On the morning of the same day, on his way to the Yongsan office, President Yoon was asked, "What message did Mrs. Kim convey by going to Bongha Village, and is this a signal for public activities?" He replied, "Why do you keep interpreting everything so difficultly?" and added, "We had been trying to visit since last year, but the timing didn’t work out, so she is going now."

The presidential office stated in a press release the day before, "Mrs. Kim has wanted to meet Mrs. Kwon and hear many words whenever there was an opportunity since last year."

After the private talk, Mrs. Kim visited the 'Awakened Citizen Cultural Experience Exhibition Hall,' a memorial hall for former President Roh. The presidential office explained that this was an unscheduled visit.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.