President Yun Seok-yeol’s spouse Kim Geon-hee visits Bonghama Village, Jinyeong-eup, Gimhae-si, Gyeongsangnam-do on the followingnoon of the 13th and pays a visit to the tomb of the late former President Roh Moo-hyun. Controversy arose over who the woman (yellow circle) was who accompanied Mrs. Kim’s visit. Gimhae = Yonhap News
On the 14th, the presidential office announced on the 14th that the woman who drew attention when accompanying President Yun Seok-yeol’s spouse Kim Kun-hee to Bonghama Village in Gimhae, Gyeongnam was an acquaintance of Kim, a university professor.
An official from the presidential office met with reporters at the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul on the same day, and asked a reporter, ‘When Mrs. Kim visited Bonghama the day before, someone other than the president’s office and annexed office staff was accompanying her.’ He is a university professor.” As for the reason for her accompaniment, she explained, “He probably knows him well.”
After the photo of First Lady Kim visiting Bonghama Village the day before was released, some opposition-oriented online communities raised claims that ‘shamans accompanied them’ in addition to the presidential office staff and bodyguards. An official from the presidential office said, “I will confirm once once more. I am an acquaintance, a university professor, and I am not a shaman.”
The woman is known as Kim Mo, an adjunct professor of the Department of Dance at Chungnam National University. She is known to have served as the head of the Living Culture and Arts Support Division at the Presidential Election Task Force and as an advisor to the Social Welfare and Culture Subcommittee on the Presidential Transition Committee.
Controversy has been raised when Ms. Kim disclosed photos of her and President Yoon in the Oval Office last month through a personal fan club. In order to prevent unnecessary misunderstandings and controversy caused by the public behavior of Mrs. Kim, voices are being raised from inside and outside the political circles that the First Lady should be supported through an official organization, such as the resurrection of the second annex of the presidential office, which was abolished by President Yoon.
Son Young-ha reporter frozen@hankookilbo.com