 |
| President Moon Jae-in and first lady Kim Jung-sook wave to their new neighbors before entering Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Wednesday, when the president was sworn in. / Yonhap |
By Kim Ji-soo, Kim Rahn
After single former President Park Geun-hye spent more than four years in Cheong Wa Dae, the election of President Moon Jae-in means the nation again has a first lady, Kim Jung-sook.
Wearing a white dress under a stunning white jacket decorated with thin black floral prints reminiscent of Korean ink-and-wash paintings, Kim, 63, was smiling by her husband's side on Wednesday at Moon's inauguration ceremony at the National Assembly on Yeouido and their first entrance into Cheong Wa Dae.
It was the first time for a first lady not to wear "hanbok," the traditional Korean attire, at the inauguration ceremony. The unconventional outfit was seen as signaling she may not stick to the traditional role of first ladies who just stayed quiet beside their husbands without acting on their own.
Seen always beaming during the election campaign, Kim has been dubbed by the media as "pleasant lady Jung-sook," to refer to her bright personality that complemented her husband's sometimes brusque personality.
Media here have said her support, especially in her weekly visits to the southwestern Jeolla provinces since last Chuseok holiday in September, contributed to Moon's victory in that crucial region. The Jeolla provinces, home turf of the liberals, had supported the minor liberal People's Party in last year's local election, meaning voters there were likely to support People's Party candidate Ahn Cheol-soo.
On those visits, she listened to the residents and delivered their wishes to her husband, meeting people at public bathhouses and traditional markets.
Kim was born in Jongno-gu, Seoul, and graduated from Sookmyung Girls' Middle and High School, before advancing to Kyung Hee University to study vocal music.
She met Moon on a blind date when she was a freshman in 1974. They did not become a couple at that time, but later Moon woke up after being knocked out during a pro-democracy protest on the campus to find his wife-to-be wiping his face.
They married in 1981, after dating for seven years. During that time, Moon was jailed twice for student activism and conscripted into the Special Forces. He also passed the bar exam during this time.
It is well-known that Kim proposed to Moon ― at that time it was very unusual for a woman to propose first. Moon earlier said, "I was with other friends, and she came and suddenly said, ‘Jae-in, are you going to marry me or not? Tell me now.' Surprised, I said, okay."
Political watchers expect such a lively personality will distinguish Kim from her predecessors. She already said she would meet with citizens more often.
In tandem with the President's pledge to be a "people's President" who would have soju with citizens after work in Gwangwhamun, central Seoul, the first lady said she would like to have an ordinary person's life by going grocery shopping at Namdaemun Market.
![[INTERVIEW] Hip-hop group Uptown returns after 13 years with new lineup](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/0eae35da5e9c40c38cf439e550a2eb3e.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] ASTRO members aim to shine in musical theater](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/df16760dc50f469d93434f66a069465c.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
