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| First lady Kim Keon Hee waves to a crowd during her visit to Seomun Traditional Market in Daegu, Jan. 11. Courtesy of the presidential office |
By Nam Hyun-woo
Kim Keon Hee is building her role as first lady by organizing and attending a variety of meetings, in what appears to be a bid to help her husband, President Yoon Suk Yeol.
According to officials from the ruling bloc, Kim on Thursday had a closed-door luncheon with approximately 20 spouses of ministers, commission chairpersons and other members of the Cabinet at the presidential residence in Seoul. The presidential office refused to confirm Kim's undisclosed schedule.
On Wednesday, Kim also had a luncheon with approximately 30 deputy and assistant secretaries of the presidential office to encourage them in their work.
Kim also appeared publicly in a meeting with about 200 designers on Jan. 31, where she noted that overseas leaders have been expressing interest in Korean designers.
On Jan. 27 and 30, Kim invited 21 female lawmakers of the ruling People Power Party to the presidential residence for lunch. Participants said that they shared New Year's greetings but did not have detailed conversations with Kim.
On Jan. 11, Kim visited a traditional market in Daegu, a conservative stronghold, to encourage citizens there.
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| First lady Kim Keon Hee speaks during a meeting with designers in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, Jan. 31. Courtesy of presidential office |
After his trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Switzerland last month, most of Yoon's public appearances have been related to the economy.
This week, Yoon has attended the Financial Services Commission's (FSC's) New Year policy briefing, a meeting on follow-up measures to the UAE's announcement to invest $30 billion in Korean firms, a meeting on training semiconductor experts, a visit to silicon wafer manufacturer SK Siltron's plant and a luncheon with Korean entrepreneurs who had won innovation awards at the Consumer Electronics Show. Yoon also attended a luncheon with officials involved in Korea's export of nuclear reactors to the UAE.
Yoon's messages have been focused on revitalizing the country's economic dynamism.
During the FSC briefing, he asked the government to improve its readiness for finance companies and promised to be the "No. 1 salesman" for Korean companies' overseas businesses. During the semiconductor events, Yoon pledged government support to help chipmakers overcome the current market downturn, stressing to them that Korea's survival hinges on science and technology.
"While Yoon is focusing on economic growth, technological progress, training chip experts and other major national tasks, the first lady is taking care of issues that the president cannot," an official at the presidential office said.
Until last year, Kim mostly appeared at volunteer services and events for the underprivileged. But she is now strengthening her presence in other areas, as Yoon's job approval rating is currently at stable about 40 percent.
In an interview with Chosun Ilbo last month, President Yoon said there are many things to do as first lady. Reportedly, Yoon recently asked Kim to "visit as many places as possible as a humble gesture."
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| First lady Kim Keon Hee, center, poses with spouses of newly appointed ambassadors to Korea at the presidential office in Yongsan District, Seoul, Jan. 26. Courtesy of presidential office |
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