President Lee Jae-myung addressed claims regarding the restoration of his wife Kim Hye-kyung's birthplace on September 23, stating, "The story about my wife's birthplace restoration is a non-issue that occurred on July 3, 2025," and emphasized that it is "already a dead issue."
While visiting New York for the United Nations General Assembly, President Lee shared a post on X (formerly Twitter) that criticized the efforts to restore Kim's birthplace. The post included a photo of individuals holding a banner that read, "Committee for the Restoration of First Lady Kim Hye-kyung's Birthplace."
President Lee clarified, "My in-laws are from Chungju, but my wife's birthplace is a hospital in Seoul." He added, "When this absurd discussion about the birthplace restoration arose last July, I promptly warned those involved, making it clear that this matter is already resolved. The photo referenced in the reply clearly shows it is a past issue."
He further remarked, "It seems the person who wrote this post is not unaware of the facts. While criticism is free, presenting a non-existent fact as if it were current is not an exercise of free speech but a crime that defames others."
President Lee urged, "We should refrain from attacking based on unfounded claims or events that did not occur."
The controversy began on July 3, 2025, when a private committee was formed in Songgang-ri, Sangcheok-myeon, Chungju, to promote the restoration of Kim Hye-kyung's birthplace. The committee reportedly included about 40 members, including chairperson Jeon Yeong-seon and Kim's sixth cousin, Kim Cheol-han, along with local residents.
The committee identified the area around San 207-1 in Songgang-ri as the birthplace and announced plans for restoration, including the establishment of a memorial hall, exhibition space, and cultural activities to revitalize the region.
President Lee visited the village of Daesogang with Kim Hye-kyung in August 2021 and returned in February 2022 to meet with residents.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.