The Unquiet First Lady's Moves... "Experts Needed to Minimize Risks"

Attending Former President's Wife's Visit and Memorial Concert, Facing Criticism for Fan Club Photos and Private Accompaniment
Calls for Revival of Second Secretariat... "Need Help from Message Management Experts"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Kim Geon-hee, wife of President Yoon Seok-yeol, has recently been taking an active role by attending media interviews, visiting former presidents' spouses, and participating in memorial concerts for fallen soldiers.

Contrary to her earlier apology regarding false credentials during President Yoon's presidential campaign and her promise to quietly support him, Kim is showing proactive behavior as the First Lady.

However, as President Yoon abolished the Second Office to support the First Lady as promised, controversies have arisen daily over the hiring of individuals with personal ties to Kim at the presidential office and photo leaks. This has led to calls for the appointment of professional staff dedicated to managing Kim's affairs.

According to the presidential office and political circles on the 19th, Kim attended alone a memorial concert for the late Major Shim Jeong-min, a pilot from the Air Force's 10th Fighter Wing, the day before. At the memorial book, Kim wrote, "Your noble sacrifice has become the spirit that protects the Republic of Korea."

Last week, Kim attracted attention by carrying out about six official and unofficial schedules as the First Lady. On the 14th, she had lunch at the Yongsan Defense Convention with 11 wives of senior lawmakers from the People Power Party who have served four or more terms.

She also visited the spouses of former presidents. Starting with Kim Yoon-ok, wife of former President Lee Myung-bak, Kim met on the 13th with Kwon Yang-sook, wife of the late former President Roh Moo-hyun; on the 16th with Lee Soon-ja, wife of the late former President Chun Doo-hwan; and on the 17th with Kim Jung-sook, wife of the current President Moon Jae-in, engaging in friendly talks.

On the morning of the day she met Kim Jung-sook, Kim attended a luncheon at the Yongsan War Memorial for national merit recipients and their families. Additionally, she gave an interview to a media outlet expressing her views on the dog meat consumption issue and raising awareness of animal rights.

Some view the visits by the presidential spouse to former presidents' spouses as a customary practice but criticize the timing and the visit to Lee Soon-ja. They argue that Kim's meeting with Lee negatively affected President Yoon and the ruling party's efforts to integrate the eastern and western factions. President Yoon became the first conservative government president to attend the May 18th commemoration with most ruling party lawmakers and all ministers, meeting with May 18th victims' families.

Regarding this, a political insider said, "Former President Chun was a figure who came to power through a military coup, not through elections under the liberal democracy that President Yoon always emphasizes. He neither apologized to nor was forgiven by the democratization movement victims, which undermines his legitimacy." The insider added, "Kim and the presidential office should keep in mind that President Yoon was embroiled in controversy over remarks defending former President Chun during the presidential campaign."

The abolition of the Second Office has also raised concerns about private individuals being involved in Kim's official schedules. Since President Yoon's inauguration, photo materials not secured by the presidential office were leaked externally through Kim's fan club, drawing criticism. In response, a presidential office official recently stated in a media briefing that 2 to 3 staff members from the secretariat would be dispatched to assist Kim during her schedules.

When it was revealed that a friend, not an official aide, accompanied Kim during her visit to Bongha Village in Gimhae, Gyeongnam on the 13th, calls for reinstating the Second Office emerged in political circles. Recently, controversy arose over a former employee of 'Kobana Contents,' where Kim was a representative, being hired by the presidential office.

On the 17th, after a Supreme Council meeting, Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, told reporters, "There was discussion about the Second Office during the meeting. Rather than who would be in charge, the problem lies in the continuous circulation of information through private channels." He added, "It is problematic that certain individuals leak or obtain photos and release them publicly, while the media or official organizations receive information late."

There are also calls for professional experts to manage Kim's schedule and messaging instead of hiring former Kobana employees who have a close relationship with her. Professor Shin Yul of Myongji University said, "Commercial planning and promotion are entirely different from managing a politician's schedule and messaging. The former highlights strengths, while the latter aims to minimize risks." He assessed, "As her activities increase, Kim needs experts who can manage her messaging and risks to the fullest."

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