Jane Han is the North America editor for The Korea Times. Based in Seattle, she has covered business, culture and social issues across the United States for over 15 years. She previously worked at The Boston Globe.
Lee’s message lands better in US with new interpreter
President Lee Jae Myung’s new interpreter, Kim Jong-min, second from left, takes notes during a meeting in New York on Monday with BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, left. Yonhap
By Jane Han
NEW YORK — Korean Americans are welcoming President Lee Jae Myung’s new interpreter on his current visit to New York, seeing it as a much-needed change after his previous aide drew criticism for what was described as sloppy and inaccurate translations during recent high-profile events.
Observers in the U.S. said the smoother interpretation not only lifted the president’s image but also eased the awkwardness many felt at past slip-ups.
The new interpreter is Kim Jong-min, a director-level foreign ministry official who joined the delegation to New York and quickly drew notice for his steady performance.
On Monday, Kim handled interpretation as Lee met first with BlackRock CEO Larry Fink and later with U.S. lawmakers. Video clips of the sessions circulated online, with many viewers noting that his delivery sounded smooth and natural — a clear contrast to the halting translations that sparked criticism during last month’s summit between Lee and U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C.
One example was when Lee made a lighthearted remark about Trump’s distinctive autograph, calling it “elaborate.” The interpreter at the time translated the word as “complicated,” a choice some listeners felt carried an unintended negative undertone, sparking debate online about accuracy and nuance.
“I had to hold my breath watching the interpretation,” wrote one viewer in a YouTube comment. “The shaky voice shows the interpreter himself was super nervous too.”
The latest round of meetings, by contrast, has drawn far more positive reactions. “The president finally has a new interpreter!” one user posted on MissyUSA, a large Korean online community in the U.S.
Another replied, “What a relief, this shows how much difference an interpreter can make. You can sense the confidence in the room.”
“It finally feels like the president’s words are coming through clearly,” one commenter wrote on a KakaoTalk group chat for Korean Americans.
According to ministry officials, Kim is a seasoned diplomat who previously served as interpreter for former President Moon Jae-in and was part of the English interpretation team during the six-party talks in 2007. He entered the ministry through the English specialist track of the Foreign Service Exam.