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President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung comfort a patient during their visit to the National Sorokdo Hospital in Goheung, South Jeolla Province, on June 25. / Courtesy of the Presidential Office

President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung visited the National Sorokdo Hospital in Goheung, South Jeolla Province, on June 25 to meet with hospital staff and residents affected by Hansen’s disease.

According to spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung, President Lee praised the determination of those who have preserved their dignity and upheld the values of community despite enduring great suffering. He also commended the religious and medical personnel who have made noble sacrifices to care for the marginalized where state support had not reached.

During the presidential campaign, Kim visited Sorokdo on May 27 and promised to return with the president after the election. Her visit on Tuesday alongside President Lee fulfilled that pledge.

“I had heard how difficult life is here, and I felt I had to come,” President Lee said during the visit. “The facilities are old—there must be many needs, right?” he asked, listening to concerns from medical staff and residents.

After hearing from the community, he added, “I will deeply consider how to reflect today’s conversations in real policies and act on them.”

The presidential couple also comforted patients by holding their hands and emphasized the need to eliminate social prejudice.