Work With Hard Face … No Identification for Watching TV

***A long day for President Kim Dae Jung…

It cannot be identified whether President Kim Dae Jung watched TV or not when his youngest son, Mr. Hong-gul, appeared in front of the prosecution on 16th.

Cheong Wa Dae concerned only said, “We suggested President Kim not to watch TV.”

President Kim received work report from a special committee of minor companies at 10:30 in the morning at his office; right after Mr. Hong-gul appeared in front of the prosecution.

President Kim arrived at his office a little later than the expected time and sat with a hard face after shaking hands with the attendants.

However, President Kim asked about his interested subjects as usual and spoke for 20 minutes in the end, delivered one attendant.

In succession President Kim received a separate report from the Chief of Office of Planning Policy relating to preparation for the World Cup.

Cheong Wa Dae concerned analyzed that President Kim continued to work normally, contained his heartbroken mind, and it was the expression of his will to concentrate on national affairs without being shaken at any cost.

Nevertheless, Cheong Wa Dae was silent for a day.

One Cheong Wa Dae concerned said, “For president Kim who experienced each kind of sufferings and difficulties, today might be a moment of collapse of his pride, which he has been keeping for his life.”

***First day Lee Hee ho...

First lady Lee-ho, wife of President Kim Dae Jung failed to attend the event, “supporting unemployment family night,” which was organized by the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM), on the evening of the16th.

It is heard that First lady Lee, when aids advised her to be absent from the event, accepted it without comment.

She stayed at official residence for a day.

When Mr. Hong-gul appeared to the prosecution, she called a secretary to report the schedule as if she was not confident to watch TV personally, delivered Cheong Wa Dae.

It is said that first lady Lee stayed in her room all day long and read the Bible, even avoiding meeting President Kim.

One Cheong Wa Dae concerned said, “When Mr. Hong-gul called up before going to the prosecution, she read one paragraph of Bible to him and advised him to keep his mind cool” and “she might have emotional undulations, but will keep herself firmly.”

After suspicions of compromise concerning Mr. Hong –gul arose, she was conscience-stricken and said, “I want to go out (from Cheong Wa Dae) soon.” However, as time passed, she made an effort to forget her anxiety, by performing tasks like taking care of petty kitchen matters, delivered Cheong Wa Dae concerned.

Chol-Hi Lee klimt@donga.com