First Lady Kim Hye-kyung Hosts Luncheon for May Mothers' House Officials at Cheong Wa Dae

First Lady Kim Hye-kyung, spouse of President Lee Jae-myung, held a luncheon meeting with representatives from the May Mothers' House, an organization associated with the May 18 Democratization Movement.

Kim met with 18 former and current executives of the May Mothers' House at Sangchunjae in Cheong Wa Dae today (October 26).

Kim previously visited the May Mothers' House in Gwangju on an unannounced schedule in June last year, promising at the time, "I will invite you to Seoul once the presidential office in Yongsan is settled."

Ahn Gwi-ryeong, deputy spokesperson for Cheong Wa Dae, explained that the luncheon was arranged "to fulfill the promise made (at the time)."

In her welcoming remarks, Kim said, "Just like the comfort that the May 18 mothers offered to the April 16 (Sewol ferry) mothers, I pay deep tribute to the noble lives and spirit of the mothers who have always embraced the wounds of our society," adding, "I hope this will be a time to alleviate, even a little, the pain you have carried in your hearts for so many years."

Mentioning that former director Ahn Sung-rye, whom she had met during her visit last year, had passed away in the meantime, Kim choked up and said, "I am so sorry for not being able to invite her sooner."

During the meeting that followed, attendees voiced opinions calling for the establishment of a space to remember the women who have upheld the values of May, as well as efforts to correct distortions and disparagement surrounding the May 18 Democratization Movement.

Kim presented statice flowers, which symbolize "eternal memory," to signify remembering the pain and sacrifices of Gwangju.

In addition, time was arranged to take individual photographs of the attendees at Cheong Wa Dae's Grand Garden.

Deputy Spokesperson Ahn Gwi-ryeong shared that this was specially arranged after learning during event preparations that many former and current executives of the May Mothers' House did not have proper personal photographs.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.