ED Fatigue over first lady
First lady Kim Keon Hee during a meeting with Korean residents in Manila, Philippines on Oct. 6 / Yonhap
First lady Kim Keon Hee once again finds herself at the center of unwanted attention. Considering her history of controversies, it’s not surprising that she is involved in yet another contentious issue.
However, the issue that has brought her back under public scrutiny this time is serious enough to potentially harm both her and President Yoon Suk Yeol's political future if not managed properly.
Kim has unwittingly become a divisive figure, further straining the president’s already tense relationship with Han Dong-hoon, the leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP). During their meeting on Monday, Yoon and Han struggled to reconcile their differences regarding the PPP leader's three-point proposal concerning the first lady. Han proposed that Kim suspend her official activities, that the president carry out a reshuffle to replace aides accused of misusing their connections with her, and that Yoon support measures to investigate suspicions and allegations surrounding his wife. Ultimately, the two realized they were not on the same page.
Who benefits from a conflict between the president and the ruling party leader? How significant will their strained relationship be for the ruling camp, especially when the party holds only one-third of the parliamentary seats and is not in the majority? The answers are clear to everyone.
It’s a lose-lose situation for both the president and the ruling party. Both will face consequences. If their strained ties remain unresolved, it will significantly impact the first lady, especially as the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea plans to push for a motion to introduce a special counsel to investigate suspicions and allegations against her. Should the first lady be discredited, her husband will undoubtedly face the fallout.
The first lady is expected to unite the two sides, but her actions have done the opposite. Footage of her receiving a Dior bag from a U.S.-based pastor has irritated voters ahead of the April National Assembly elections, forcing the PPP to grapple with the fallout. In leaked phone conversations with a left-wing YouTuber, she referred to herself and her husband as left-wingers rather than conservatives, raising suspicions among conservative voters about the president's political orientation. Now, the first lady is being accused of influencing the selection of candidates for the ruling PPP in the National Assembly elections.
Whenever one allegation against the first lady fades from public attention, another suspicion emerges, leaving people weary of the relentless stream of accusations.
The presidential office has promised to establish an office for the first lady to support her official activities. However, creating such an institution will be pointless if she surrounds herself with individuals merely seeking to curry favor. It’s essential to implement a system that ensures she listens to professional advice and acts on sound judgment.
The late former President Roh Moo-hyun set a strong example of how a leader should behave. During his summit with then-North Korean leader Kim Jong-il in October 2007, Kim unexpectedly suggested that Roh extend his stay in Pyongyang for another day to allow more time for discussion on mutual interests. Roh didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he said he needed to consult with his aides first. Kim playfully remarked that as president, he should be able to make such a minor decision on his own. Roh was known to emphasize the importance of listening to his aides' advice.
Roh understood the responsibilities of leadership and how leaders should conduct themselves, and the same principles should apply to the first lady. Kim is expected to embody a life that aligns with public expectations, especially while her husband is serving as president. As first lady, she enjoys numerous privileges, but these come with significant responsibilities. It would be beneficial for Kim to reflect on William Shakespeare’s observation about the burdens of leadership in "Henry IV": “Heavy is the head that wears the crown.” Although she is not a leader in the traditional sense, Kim has entered the public eye as part of the first family due to her husband’s election. Therefore, it is natural for the first family to bear a heavy burden, and meeting public expectations is a crucial aspect of that responsibility Kim must embrace as first lady.