Handonghun, Kim Jeongsuk on 'Personnel Passing' Controversy: "We Will Do Better Next Time"

Meeting at the 100th Anniversary Ceremony of Former President Kim Dae-jung's Birth

Controversy arose after Kim Jung-sook, the wife of former President Moon Jae-in, was seen not acknowledging Han Dong-hoon, the Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party.

The two crossed paths on the 6th at the 100th anniversary commemorative ceremony for former President Kim Dae-jung's birth. Although Chairman Han greeted her twice, Kim did not respond and passed by without acknowledging him. This moment was captured on the official live broadcast, sparking debate.

Image source=SNS

The event was attended by key figures including Chairman Han, Hong Ik-pyo, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, leaders from both ruling and opposition parties, former President Moon Jae-in and his wife, as well as former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party leader, was absent due to hospitalization following an assault incident.

The incident occurred while attendees were taking a commemorative photo. As Kim Jung-sook moved to join the photo lineup following former President Moon, she responded with a bow to the greeting from Lee Jong-chan, the President of the Liberation Association, but did not respond to the greeting from Chairman Han, who was standing right beside her, and passed by.

Some pointed out that since the camera captured Kim’s back, her facial expression was not visible, suggesting the possibility that although she did not bow to Chairman Han, she might have acknowledged him with a nod or eye contact. However, when asked about the controversy by a media outlet, Chairman Han said, "She might not have recognized me," adding, "Next time, I will greet her more properly."

Previously, Kim Jung-sook was also involved in controversy in 2019 when she did not shake hands with Hwang Kyo-ahn, then leader of the Liberty Korea Party, at the Gwangju May 18 Democratic Movement commemorative ceremony. At that time, Hwang awkwardly scratched his cheek with the hand he had extended for a handshake.

At the event, former President Moon criticized, saying, "The world that former President Kim longed for is drifting further away, and the world is going backward," adding, "Democracy is once again in jeopardy, and the national economy and people's livelihoods are becoming increasingly difficult."

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