President Yoon Suk-yeol has been serving as the 13th and current president of South Korea since 2022. Since his election as the 13th president of South Korea, Yoon Suk-yeol has been making headlines for his various policy initiatives and efforts to address the challenges facing the country. His presidency has been marked by several notable events, including his recent state visit to the United States with his wife, Kim Keon-hee, who is currently the First Lady of South Korea.
Kim Keon-hee, his wife, has also been in the spotlight due to her position as the first spouse of South Korea. In this article, we will take a closer look at Kim Keon-hee and her background, as well as the controversies and investigations that have been associated with her name.
Meet Yoon’s Wife, Kim Keon-hee
Kim Keon-hee was born on September 2, 1972, in Yangpyeong, South Korea. She attended Myungil Girls’ High School before earning an art degree from Kyonggi University. In 2009, she founded Covana Contents, a company that specializes in art exhibitions, and has served as the CEO and president of the company ever since.
Also Read: Meet James Brolin’s Wife: All About Secret Behind Their Successful Marriage
Controversies And Investigations About Kim Keon-hee
Despite her successful career, Kim Keon-hee has not been immune to controversy and investigation. In 2019, reports surfaced that she had allegedly failed to pay taxes, which led to an investigation by the authorities. Additionally, she has been accused of accepting kickbacks for hosting art exhibitions, which has also been investigated.
In 2021, there were reports that Kim had inflated her resume with connections to the New York University Stern School of Business, which led to further scrutiny from the media and the public. In response, Kim publicly apologized and promised to focus on her role as Yoon’s spouse, even if he is elected. Yoon later included the abolition of the Office of the First Lady within the Office of the President in his campaign promise.
More recently, at the end of 2021, prosecutors announced that they would start investigations against Kim for corruption regarding a stock market manipulation. These investigations are ongoing, and it remains to be seen what their outcome will be.
Also Read: Who Is Taylor Swift’s Boyfriend? All About Joe Alwyn
Kim’s Position As First Spouse
Despite the controversies surrounding her, Kim Keon-hee has been serving as the first spouse of South Korea since May 10, 2022, when her husband Yoon Suk-yeol took office as president. Interestingly, Kim has stated that she prefers the term “first spouse” over “first lady,” which reflects her desire to be recognized not only for her gender but also for her position as a successful businesswoman.
Kim’s first official overseas trip as first spouse was to the United States in April 2023, where she accompanied her husband on a state visit to Washington, DC. During their visit, they were welcomed by US President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden, and they participated in various official events, including a joint visit to the Korean War Memorial. The Bidens presented a small, handcrafted table made out of mahogany wood and inlaid with historical White House wood as an official gift to the couple.