South Korea’s New First Lady on Trial — Election Law Violations Threaten Lee Jae-myung’s Administration

Currently on trial for violating the Public Offices Election Act. Could this be the biggest Achilles’ heel of the Lee Jae-myung administration?

“She has a completely different aura from her predecessor.”

As noted by a foreign news correspondent from a major national paper, South Korea’s new First Lady is drawing growing attention. Kim Hye-kyung (58), the wife of newly inaugurated President Lee Jae-myung (61), who took office on June 4, was born in Seoul in 1966. She studied piano at the prestigious Sookmyung Women’s University and later worked as a music instructor after graduation.

Lee and Kim met in 1990, introduced through relatives who attended the same church. Less than a year after meeting, they married. When proposing, instead of a ring, Lee handed her six notebooks—his diaries detailing in vivid detail the hardships and emotions of his youth. They described his difficult life, working in factories right after finishing elementary school due to poverty.

“At the time, Lee was just starting out as a lawyer, and their newlywed life began in public housing. It’s said they even had to defer full payment for their wedding rings, only managing the deposit,” says a journalist based in Korea.

In 2006, when Lee first considered entering politics, Kim strongly opposed the idea, reportedly saying, “Are you trying to destroy our family? If you want to run for office, sign the divorce papers and leave.” She has consistently preferred to stay out of the spotlight, supporting her husband quietly from behind the scenes—a stark contrast to former President Yoon Suk-yeol’s wife, Kim Keon-hee (52), who was often in the public eye.

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A common thread between the two first ladies

At first, Kim Keon-hee attracted attention for her beauty and flashy fashion, but later became embroiled in scandals such as stock manipulation and bribery allegations. This has only made Kim Hye-kyung’s modest and reserved impression stand out even more.

However, a Korean journalist points out that the two women share a common thread.

“Both Kim Keon-hee and Kim Hye-kyung were initially strongly opposed to their husbands entering politics. Furthermore, Kim Hye-kyung is also known to be fond of luxury brand Goyard’s tote bags, hinting at the possibility that she may gradually emerge as a ‘power behind the scenes.’ It’s entirely possible that she may change in the future.”

In fact, Kim Hye-kyung is already facing a scandal. During the August 2021 primary to select the previous presidential candidate, it was revealed that a corporate credit card belonging to the Gyeonggi Provincial Government—then headed by Lee—was used to provide meals worth around 100,000 won (about 10,700 yen) to the spouses of National Assembly members. This was deemed a form of vote-buying and led to her being charged with violating the Public Offices Election Act. She has been found guilty in both the first and second trials and is currently appealing to the Supreme Court.

At first glance, this may seem like a minor issue—but it could prove to be a fatal flaw.

“Kim Hye-kyung herself said in a 2022 TV interview, ‘Anyone who influences the president, including family or spouses, should be subject to unlimited scrutiny.’ If the Supreme Court upholds the lower court’s ruling, criticism from the opposition parties will likely intensify,” the journalist added.

How long will her modest demeanor last?

— From “FRIDAY” magazine, July 11, 2025 issue