Analysis Why South Korea is reviving the first lady’s office after proudly abolishing itReinstating the Second Annex Office risks hypocrisy accusations but may mitigate political fallout Jeongmin KimAugust 2, 2024 Kim Keon-hee and Jill Biden at a NATO program for the spouses of heads of state | Image: ROK Presidential Office (July 2024) The South Korean presidential office’s decision to reinstate the first lady’s office for Kim Keon-hee has sparked a debate about the role of unelected figures in politics and their influence on policy decisions using taxpayer money. This move breaks a key campaign pledge President Yoon Suk-yeol made and comes after two years of controversies surrounding his wife. Political leaders and editorial boards across the ideological spectrum have unanimously called for the office’s revival, suggesting that the decision is a strategic attempt to minimize political risks for the remainder of Yoon’s tenure, given his low approval ratings. The Second Annex Office (제2부속실), as it is officially named, has experienced a tumultuous history due to a lack of legal definition for the role and authority of presidential spouses. However, the reinstatement under Yoon aims to align South Korea more closely with international norms and diplomatic formalities. It also seeks to provide a more structured and transparent framework for managing the first lady’s activities, potentially mitigating future controversies and ongoing investigations against her. UNELECTED INFLUENCE The controversy surrounding the roles of first ladies is a global phenomenon in democratic countries. In 2017, French President Emmanuel Macron faced backlash when he attempted to establish an official office for his wife. Additionally, critics have frequently accused U.S. first lady Jill Biden of having undue influence on her husband. The core issue revolves around unelected figures wielding significant political influence while funded by taxpayer money, raising questions about democratic accountability. In South Korea, the public has viewed the first lady’s office negatively since its establishment in 1972 under former President Park Chung-hee, perceiving it as a platform for non-elected individuals to directly influence politics. The office gained further notoriety in 2016 during the Park Geun-hye administration when news broke that the president’s friend and confidante, Choi Soon-sil, had used the Second Annex Office as a conduit for unauthorized individuals to interfere in government affairs. The scandal eventually led to Park’s impeachment and imprisonment. During the Moon Jae-in administration, the office faced criticism over the alleged misuse of government funds to pay for then-first lady Kim Jung-sook’s personal expenses. This controversy significantly influenced Yoon’s campaign promise to abolish the office. LACK OF OVERSIGHT The absence of the Second Annex Office has led to poor management of first lady Kim Keon-hee’s activities, resulting in various problems that have contributed to Yoon’s low approval ratings. For instance, Kim’s former colleagues from her exhibition planning company, Covana Contents, were photographed providing protocol services to Kim, leading to public outcry. In early 2022, her online fan club, “Keonhee-sarang,” leaked the president’s schedule — which is classified information — raising security concerns. Moreover, during a presidential visit to Lithuania in July 2023, Kim went shopping for luxury goods. She came under criticism for shopping outside of the first lady’s official schedule. The most notable incident, the Dior bag scandal, occurred just before the April 2024 general election. A video captured Kim receiving a luxury handbag from a pastor during a meeting at her Covana Contents’ office due to the lack of an official venue for the first lady to receive formal guests. The incident has led to graft accusations and continues to dominate news headlines. The ruling People Power Party (PPP) cited this scandal as one of the reasons for its election loss. Many conservative editorials and ruling party figures have argued that a proper first lady’s office could have prevented these scandals by managing Kim’s schedule and acting as a firewall. Critics argue that the lack of such an office has led to inefficient use of resources, with presidential staff often diverted to handle Kim’s affairs. Internationally, the role and budget allocation for presidential spouses have always been contentious issues. In the U.S., while not explicitly outlined in law, the first lady’s role has some legal basis and precedents, suggesting a status similar to a term-limited federal employee. The role conventionally centers around social advocacy, which South Korea has tried to mirror. However, unlike South Korea, where the first lady’s office is funded through the presidential office’s special activity budget, the U.S. allocates a separate budget for its first lady’s office. In legal terms, the first lady is considered a private citizen in the ROK, creating an ambiguous status that makes the position prone to controversy. To address this, the minor conservative New Reform Party has proposed the “Presidential Spouse Law,” which would subject the first lady to laws that govern other public officials. POLICY REVERSAL The Yoon administration first hinted at reviving the first lady’s office in January amid the Dior bag scandal. In a February interview, Yoon stated he would consider reinstating the first lady’s office if the public demanded it, though he expressed doubts about the effectiveness of reintroducing the office. However, Yoon’s stance has shifted significantly in recent weeks, largely due to pressure from high-profile politicians within his own party. Notably, during the PPP leadership race, then-frontrunner Han Dong-hoon said that while the government shouldn’t prevent the first lady from engaging in public activities, it should manage them “transparently and with restrained messaging.” Reinstating the office would force Yoon to break a campaign promise and it would open him to accusations of hypocrisy, but the mounting scandals surrounding the first lady have become a significant liability for the president. The decision to revive the office suggests that the administration views it as necessary to mitigate future risks and potentially improve Yoon’s low approval ratings. Additionally, with the opposition party having set its sights on the first lady — there have been numerous calls to investigate Kim Keon-hee — the potential appointment of a special inspector (특별감찰관) to monitor the first lady and her relatives is not implausible. This position has been unfilled for years. If the ruling and opposition parties agree to fill the position, the inspector could oversee the first lady and her family. CONSENSUS AMID DIFFERING MOTIVATIONS Over the past few months, a near-unanimous consensus has emerged across the political spectrum, calling for the re-establishment of the first lady’s office, albeit for differing reasons. Conservative voices argue that disputes between the presidential office and the opposition bloc over the first lady have hindered government operations. Progressives argue that Yoon’s initial decision to abolish the office was politically motivated and that the decision to bring it back is just as political, cautioning against using the office to shield Kim from investigations. The revival of this office gives Yoon a chance to reshape his image as a responsive leader and help reduce political risks. The move also aligns with the global trend of formalizing the role of leaders’ spouses and could support Yoon’s foreign policy agenda by providing the first lady with professional assistance during diplomatic visits to other countries, potentially reducing the chance for missteps. As the Yoon administration reinstates the office, it must establish clear guidelines, ensure budget transparency and address concerns about the potential misuse of resources. The success of this move will depend on its ability to prevent future scandals and contribute to more stable political communications. The rare cross-party consensus on this issue highlights its potential. If managed well, the first lady’s office could improve Yoon’s public image and support his diplomatic efforts. However, careful navigation will be crucial to avoid the pitfalls that have plagued similar offices in past administrations. Edited by John Lee The South Korean presidential office’s decision to reinstate the first lady’s office for Kim Keon-hee has sparked a debate about the role of unelected figures in politics and their influence on policy decisions using taxpayer money. This move breaks a key campaign pledge President Yoon Suk-yeol made and comes after two years of controversies surrounding his wife. Get 30 days
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Analysis Why South Korea is reviving the first lady’s office after proudly abolishing itReinstating the Second Annex Office risks hypocrisy accusations but may mitigate political fallout The South Korean presidential office’s decision to reinstate the first lady’s office for Kim Keon-hee has sparked a debate about the role of unelected figures in politics and their influence on policy decisions using taxpayer money. This move breaks a key campaign pledge President Yoon Suk-yeol made and comes after two years of controversies surrounding his wife. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. |