President Lee Jae Myung and first lady Kim Hea Kyung arrive for a state visit to Italy via presidential plane at Rome Fiumicino International Airport in Rome, Thursday (local time). Yonhap
First lady Kim Hea Kyung remains largely out of the spotlight one year into President Lee Jae Myung's administration, adopting a low-key public role that contrasts sharply with the high-profile approach of her predecessor, Kim Keon Hee.
Kim Hea Kyung has limited her public appearances and stayed away from political issues — a strategy political observers describe as prudent, given that presidential spouses, despite holding no official constitutional role, can shape public perceptions and affect a president's political standing.
“The country has witnessed the so-called 'first lady risk' associated with former first lady Kim Keon Hee,” an analyst said on condition of anonymity. “Against that backdrop, the incumbent first lady's reserved role appears appropriate and consistent with her role of supporting the president."
Former first lady Kim Keon Hee enters a courtroom for her first trial on charges related to stock price manipulation involving Deutsch Motors and allegations of accepting money and valuables linked to the Unification Church, Sept. 25, 2025. Joint Press Corps
