President Lee Jae-myung celebrated his 35th wedding anniversary by sharing memories from his honeymoon on Jeju Island.
At a town-hall meeting at Halla University Convention Center in Jeju on the 30th, he was talking about the island’s scenery when he said, “To share something personal: today is my wedding anniversary,” revealing that he and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung are marking 35 years together.
That personal aside—unexpected at an event focused on policy and current issues—helped soften the room’s tone and brought the audience closer.
His remarks flowed naturally in a conversation about Jeju’s natural environment and tourism resources. “I hope we can make beautiful Jeju even more beautiful,” he said, emphasizing the island’s value and potential. He then shared a honeymoon memory that underscored his genuine affection for the place.
The couple’s story dates back to 1990. At the time, after just opening his law office, President Lee reportedly proposed to Ms. Kim only four days after they first met. They married on March 30, 1991, and this year marked their 35th anniversary. Their brief courtship and quick decision to marry have been widely recounted and remain one of the president’s most talked-about personal stories.
He drew attention with a specific anecdote about their Jeju honeymoon. “I love Jeju so much I deliberately saved it for our honeymoon,” he said, describing himself as the type to reserve special places. “After we married, my wife and I went to Jeju. We originally booked seven days at a hotel, but we liked it so much we extended our stay by four days.”
The longer trip reportedly had consequences for his work. “I felt bad for my clients, but I postponed a trial and spent 11 days touring Jeju,” he recalled. His candid admission that he chose personal time over official duties drew laughter from the audience.
He continued to praise Jeju’s beauty: “I haven’t traveled to every corner of the world, but after visiting many places, there’s no island as beautiful as Jeju.” Those words did more than express personal admiration—they highlighted Jeju’s competitive edge as a tourist destination.
