South Korea’s first lady avoids limelight ahead of high-stakes election

Beset by controversies about share price manipulation and a costly gifted handbag, South Korea’s first lady has not been seen in public since Dec. 15, but few in Seoul were surprised as a high-stakes parliamentary election approaches this month.
President Yoon Suk Yeol is not running in the April 10 election in which his People Power Party faces an uphill battle to win back control of parliament, and is also barred from campaigning, as he already holds public office.
Still, the unprecedented absence from public view of his wife, Kim Keon Hee, after the couple returned from a visit to the Netherlands on Dec. 15, is seen by analysts as a political decision to shield the party from any negative comment.
“Since the first lady is not portraying positive images to the public, for her to remain quiet during this time might actually help (Yoon’s party in) the election,” said Shin Yul, a political science professor at Myongji University in Seoul.
“If she re-emerges, it could be problematic, not just because of the scandals themselves, but her unfavourable image before the public.”