Kim Dae-jung's Son Surprises with Commentary During Visit to Presidential Exhibition at Cheongwadae

Kim Hong-eop "Managing Father's Hwawon is about Protection and a Peaceful Attitude"

Kim Hong-eop, son of former President Kim Dae-jung and chairman of the Kim Dae-jung Peace Center, visited the Blue House main building with his wife Shin Seon-ryeon, reminiscing about old memories. According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on the 19th, he served as a commentator for the exhibition "Stories of Our Presidents - Here Were Presidents" on the 17th.

Chairman Kim shared stories about his father, former President Kim Dae-jung's time at the Blue House, in front of visitors. Pointing to a gardening shear, a symbolic item representing former President Kim, he said, "I heard that before my father became president, he spent some time in prison and brought wildflowers to his room to nurture them. I vividly remember how he continued to care for plants even after his presidency." He added, "He really loved flowers blooming in every season and put effort into managing the garden. I think that was his unique attitude toward protection and peace."

He also interpreted a photo taken when former presidents and their spouses were invited to the Blue House as "a scene showing the aspect of unity." He expressed satisfaction, saying, "I am seeing photos of my father watering plants for the first time. The exhibition's completeness is high, so many citizens will be able to enjoy it with great interest."

The next day, Shin Cheol-sik, chairman of the Rhee Syngman Founding President Memorial Association, visited the exhibition and shared various stories with visitors. He commented, "Seeing visitors in their 40s and 50s showing interest, I thought this is how we should introduce former President Rhee Syngman."

Opened on the 1st of this month, the exhibition is designed in a friendly manner focusing on symbolic items of twelve former presidents. As of the 18th, 101,017 visitors have attended. A Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism official said, "On weekends, more than 8,000 people visit daily, and the waiting line for entry sometimes reached nearly 300 meters." He added, "Considering the heatwave, shade tents and cooling fogs were installed, and paper sun caps were distributed," and "Additional staff will be deployed to enhance visitor convenience and safety." The exhibition will continue until August 28th, along with the "Invitation, Chapter" exhibition held at the Chunghwagwan."

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