Diplomatic Debut in a Bold Dress… The Background of the “Privatization of Power” by the First Lady of South Korea
The woman who got out of the black private car caught the eyes of those around her. She was wearing a long white skirt and lace gloves. She was dressed in a bright dress that gave the impression of an impressive diplomatic debut.
On June 28, Kim Keon-hee, the wife of South Korean President Yun Suk-yeol (61), made her first international appearance as First Lady at the royal palace in Spain. On June 28, the couple headed to Spain’s Royal Palace for a dinner before the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit that was to begin the following day.
Mrs. Kim looked a little nervous on her first international appearance, but I think it was a good diplomatic debut for her. She speaks fluent English. She spoke English fluently and chatted with the heads of state and their wives in a friendly manner. She shook hands with King Felipe VI of Spain and his wife and took commemorative photos with them.
The talented and colorful Mrs. Kim is gaining in popularity. Last December, a fan site called “Keon-Sarang (I love you, Keon-Sarang)” was launched. Initially, there were about 30,000 members, but the number has now grown to nearly 95,000.
The biggest reason for her popularity is her unpretentious, folksy attitude. Even after becoming first lady, she still takes out meals at a downtown mass market. She also casually shares her personal life on Instagram. Her favorite white sandals (about 3,500 yen) on Instagram became a hot topic and sold out at various stores. A search for “Kim Keon-hee” on “Neighbor Shopping,” a major Korean online shopping site, returns more than 2,500 hits,” he said.
What was the “breach of promise” in the apology press conference?
While Kim’s popularity has skyrocketed, he has also come under increasing criticism. They say that she “violated a public pledge.
Last December, Kim held an apology press conference after it was revealed that her application for a position as a visiting professor at a private university had been false. In her apology, she said, ‘I will reflect on my actions and quietly devote myself to my role as a wife. However, Kim’s publicity has only increased, as she has been seen watching movies with her husband and wife and hanging out with her dog in the Oval Office. It cannot be said that she has been ‘quiet,’ and there are calls for her to ‘violate her pledge.
What is even more damning is the allegation that she is “privatizing power.
The fan club ‘Keon-Sarang’ has published many photos of the couple that are not official government images. Some of these photos were released before the official images were made public, and others show the couple’s private schedule.
Personnel matters have also been disputed. Until May of this year, Mrs. Kim was the representative of the art planning company “Kobana Contents. It was discovered that three of the company’s staff members had accompanied her to official functions as First Lady. In particular, the company’s executive director appeared frequently and made public appearances alongside Mrs. Kim. Mrs. Kim is referred to by the opposition as a ‘secret agent’ (a shadowy figure).
Mrs. Kim is increasing her presence at home and abroad. Her words and actions are likely to have a major impact on the approval rating of the Yun administration.
Photo.: Reuters/Afro