South Korean First Lady Insults the U.S. by Wearing Anti-U.S., Anti-THAAD symbol Next to U.S. President Trump

2019-7-6, Tara O

President Trump arrived in South Korea on June 29, 2019 after the G-20 meeting in Japan.  The next day, he visited the DMZ and met with Kim Jong-un. On the 29th, the South Korean First Lady is spotted wearing a light blue butterfly brooch near President Trump.  The light blue butterfly is a symbol adopted by anti-THAAD, anti-U.S. groups in South Korea.

First Lady Kim Jung-sook (김정숙) also wore the light blue butterfly pin the day before on June 28, 2019 in Japan at the G-20 meeting during the group photo session and the dinner banquet.

Kim Jung-sook is not the only one to wear the light blue butterfly pin.  So did the Minister of Gender Equality and Family Jin Seon-mi (진선미), who stood next to South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha (강경화)and U.S. First Daughter Ivanka Trump.  Jin Seon-mi and National Assemblywoman Sohn Hye-won (손혜원) (see here for more on Sohn Hye-won’s corruption and her tie to the First Lady Kim Jeong-sook) are members of the “26 Who Oppose THAAD” within the Democratic Party of Korea (Deobureo Minjoo Party). (11:40)

National Assembly representatives of the Democratic Party of Korea (Deobureo Minjoo Party) also wore the anti-THAAD symbol, light blue butterfly (made of light blue ribbons).

National Assemblyman Min Kyung-wook (민경욱), Liberty Korea Party, posted a comment  about the First Lady’s light blue butterfly pin on June 30, 2019.

The Blue Butterfly Effect is a documentary about those who opposed deploying THAAD to Seongju.  A protester from Seongju who has the same name [as the First Lady] invited First Lady Kim Jeong-sook to watch the documentary by sending her a letter and melons…The blue butterfly is a symbol that opposes the THAAD [system] that defends against North Korean missiles…Does it mean they want North Korea to have nuclear weapons, rather than [South Korea] having THAAD?…Does it mean she is taking sides with China [which strongly opposed the THAAD deployment to South Korea]?  Does president [Moon] agree with her? If not, when did our citizens authorize her to give such a grave message to the U.S. president?

The Blue House said it is just a simple blue brooch.  These photos, however, clearly show that the light blue butterflies are used as symbols of anti-THAAD, and are promoted widely.

The below is another poster advertising the anti-THAAD “Blue Butterfly Effect” documentary, hosted by Eco Feminist (여성환경연대, http://ecofem.or.kr) and Earthday Korea (한국환경회의,   http://earthdaykorea.org).  The poster states “THAAD cannot be deployed to Seongju or anywhere else” and “In the battle in Seongju are mothers.”

The photos below show the anti-THAAD poster that states “No THAAD” as well as the “Blue Butterfly Effect” documentary.

The below picture shows a close-up of the woman holding a yellow sign.  It shows:

• “Blue Butterfly Effect”
• “Complementary documentary ticket”
• “From Kim Jeong-sook, a melon farmer in Seongju
• “To Kim Jeong-sook, the First Lady”

The documentary trailer video embedded in the “Voice of the Proletariats” shows mothers crying, stating there cannot be a THAAD deployment to where the children are living. It is lean on facts, but imbued with emotions.

The anti-THAAD candlelight protest below states “Blue Butterfly Effect Director Park Moon-chil (박문칠) (asking) ‘Please listen to Seongju’s sincerity’.”

Additionally, the “Blue Butterfly Effect” posted on its Facebook on July 1, 2019 that thanks to First Lady Kim Jeong-sook’s fashion, the struggle against THAAD and the documentary are promoted again.  It states “take out THAAD for peace.”

During the 2017 presidential campaign, numerous candidates opposed THAAD, including then-presidential candidate Moon Jae-in, who is holding a banner “Deep rooted evil Park Geun-hye!!  Withdraw THAAD right away. THAAD Withdrawal, Women’s Subcommittee, Seongju Struggle Committee.”

While there are those who oppose the THAAD deployment in South Korea, there are also those who support it.  Furthermore, the majority of South Koreans support strong U.S.-Republic of Korea alliance. The rally below has a banner that states “We welcome the decision to deploy THAAD, which is to protect the South Korean citizens’ security.”  Another sign states “North Korea’s nukes: No; THAAD: Yes.”

As the National Assemblyman Min Kyung-wook pointed out, First Lady Kim Jung-sook expressing her anti-THAAD view at meetings at the G-20 and with President Trump during his recent visit to South Korea is not a reflection of all South Korean people, but rather, small, but vocal groups.  It also shows Kim Jung-sook’s poor understanding, if not flouting, of diplomatic protocol and her role in representing all South Korean citizens.