By Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporter
As a needle is inseparable from a thread, presidential candidates who are busy campaigning are backed up by more permanent supporters, their wives, than any other aides.
Being ears, feet or reliable backbone sometimes, they help their husbands run for the Dec. 19 election.
Since Chung Dong-young of the United New Democratic Party (UNDP) declared his presidential bid, Min Hae-kyung has been playing more than five roles for her husband.
She prepares a meal every day and is trying to take care of Chung's health as well.
Since he delivers many speeches outside, she packs four to five vacuum flasks of home-grown pyogo mushrooms in hot water which are known to be good for throat here.
Min is also a good stylist for the UNDP candidate.
She chooses not only suits and shirts but also details like ties and cufflinks.
Crisscrossing the country, she visits even small countryside markets, which her husband does not have time to call on.
Even though she does not actively promote Chung's campaign pledges, she is trying to listen to the difficulties people have and what they expect him to do.
Then, she helps her husband and his camp reflect the people's wishes in Chung's campaign pledges.
``While Chung is the mouth giving his pledges, Min is the ear listening to the problems people have,'' her spokeswoman told The Korea Times on condition of anonymity. ``Chung always stresses the importance of listening. In terms of that, she is a great listener.''
From Tuesday, Min started to be more active by giving speeches to voters.
She focused on promoting Chung's flagship pledge to make families happy by removing insecurities regarding employment, residence, education and post-retirement.
Min, who is the most favored lady among candidates' wives in opinion polls, recently opened a personal homepage to publicize the ``happy family'' promise while introducing her daily life.
Meanwhile, Kim Yun-ok, wife of the Grand National Party candidate Lee Myung-bak, is taking a relatively quiet approach.
Even though she does not appear on Lee's campaign or deliver speeches, she keeps doing voluntary work to support her husband.
She met with spouses of disabled people and vendors in traditional markets Thursday to listen to their plight directly.
``She is trying to avoid making a fuss. Like Lee's shadow, she is just supporting him and trying to touch the people's hearts,'' Park Jeong-ha, her spokesman said. ``Due to this reason, she is accompanied by just three to four staff members.''
He quoted her as saying that people do not like boisterous activities because it is the initial stage of the official campaign. He added that she is making an effort to fulfill her duties in the supporting role that a candidate's wife is supposed to play.
On the other hand, she takes aggressive action against negative campaigning targeting both her and her husband.
She filed a libel suit Wednesday against UNDP Spokeswoman Kim Hyun-mee who criticized her for wearing an extravagant watch.
Lee's wife said that the controversial watch was a domestically manufactured one worth 70,000 won ($75).
The wives of other candidates are also gearing up to support their husbands.
Han In-ok plans to participate in charity events and volunteer work for independent candidate Lee Hoi-chang. She will also make a tour of temples nationwide to solicit support from Buddhist groups.
Most camps are operating secretariats for the candidates' wives, putting more emphasis on their roles.