[Son Seong-jin Column] Qualifications and Roles of the First Lady

The life of Francesca, the wife of former President Rhee Syngman, is not well known. This is partly because she is a figure of the past and a Westerner. Mrs. Francesca, accustomed to frugality, mended socks at Gyeongmudae and tore the corners of mail to use as notepaper. Except when taking walks, she always walked a few steps behind Rhee Syngman, avoiding drawing attention to herself. She was different from recent First Ladies who prefer expensive luxury goods and walk ahead of the president.

The First Lady is required to have exceptional dignity and restraint in appearance and speech. This is because she is not an ordinary housewife but a First Lady watched by the public and of interest abroad. People do not look up to someone draped in flashy clothes and jewelry. Respect is earned by having a kind and humble inner self while maintaining a simple and neat fashion and appearance.

If everything is true, Mrs. Kim Keon-hee, who faces 16 criminal charges, is far from the ideal First Lady. She has tarnished the nation's dignity with illegality and corruption, let alone inner and outer dignity. Even supporters who once defended her against pre-inauguration controversies have turned their backs, abandoning any sympathy. It could be seen as political oppression, but to claim that, she must prove her innocence and win in court.

The First Lady can also engage in activities to complement the president's shortcomings. However, these activities must be transparently disclosed and limited to areas like welfare. In France, a 'Charter of Transparency' regarding the First Lady's role has been announced. The Élysée Palace's website publicly shares every move of Brigitte Macron. Her activities mainly concern the disabled, children, and education. In the US, the First Lady can receive support comparable to the president, including organization and budget. Although the First Lady's activities are more vigorous than in any other country, all information is disclosed and transparently managed, leaving no room for controversy.

In our country, there are no regulations regarding the First Lady's status or management, except for security. Even the Second Office, which existed, was abolished by the Yoon Seok-yeol administration under the slogan of 'quiet support.' The result was not quiet but noisier. The absence of intention to stay quiet is confirmed by the emerging secret organization. It raises suspicion that the abolition of the office was intended for secretive and sinister activities.

The First Lady is like the queen in a monarchy. A queen must be educated, and if her conduct is improper, her qualifications are revoked. Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, the wife of King George VI and mother of Queen Elizabeth II, is credited with establishing today's British royal family. She quietly supported her husband, who had a speech impediment, and remained at Buckingham Palace during the air raids of World War II, giving courage to the people.

What about the queens of Joseon? The crown princess, selected through the very strict three-step selection process, received over six months of education on royal laws and virtues. They learned not only dignity, manners, and culture but also how to walk. Except for Jang Hui-bin, who became queen from a concubine, and Empress Myeongseong Min, who actively intervened in state affairs, queens generally fulfilled their roles by supporting the king and managing palace affairs.

It seems that the First Lady also forgets her duty when she enters the center of power. The unprecedented imprisonment of a presidential couple is also due to the failure of self-cultivation and family governance. There is a high possibility that they turned a blind eye to the misconduct surrounding Mrs. Kim. The result is the realization of the fleeting nature of power in the hot prison cell.

Our people demand strong leadership from the president but want a warm and approachable image from the First Lady. They feel affection for a heart that pretends not to know the happenings around power and quietly seeks out the shadows of society.

We recall the grace of Yuk Young-soo, the wife of former President Park Chung-hee. The people still remember her elegant appearance in hanbok and her love for the underprivileged. Visiting miners, lepers, bus guides, and prisoners was not just for them but a way to comfort the entire nation. Yuk Young-soo's principle of managing the Blue House was 'always live a middle-class life.' Her frugality, like turning off unnecessary lights, resembled Francesca. It contrasts with the recent First Ladies' greedy lifestyles.

The First Lady is not exempt from the corruption that ruins a country. When Imelda, the wife of Philippine President Marcos, turned on dozens of air conditioners in a gym and wore fur coats in a tropical country, the people had to fight hunger. Although such things have not happened to us and hopefully never will, institutional supplements seem necessary.


tonio66@fnnews.com