Lee Hee-ho facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lee Hee-ho
|
|
|---|---|
| 이희호 | |
 |
|
| First Lady of South Korea | |
| In role 25 February 1998 – 24 February 2003 |
|
| President | Kim Dae-jung |
| Preceded by | Son Myung-soon |
| Succeeded by | Kwon Yang-sook |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 21 September 1922 Jongno, Seoul, Korea |
| Died | 10 June 2019 (aged 96) Severance Hospital, Sinchon-dong, Seoul, South Korea |
| Resting place | Seoul National Cemetery, Seoul South Korea |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 (2 stepchildren) |
| Education | Seoul National University Lambuth University Scarritt College |
| Lee Hee-ho | |
| Hangul | |
|---|---|
| Hanja | |
| Revised Romanization | I Huiho |
| McCune–Reischauer | Yi Hŭiho |
Lee Hee-ho (born 21 September 1922 – died 10 June 2019) was an important person in South Korea. She worked hard for women's rights and peace. She was also the First Lady of South Korea when her husband, Kim Dae-jung, was president from 1998 to 2003.
Many people see her as one of the first and most important feminist leaders in South Korea. She spent her life fighting for women to have more power and for an end to unfair treatment based on gender.
After she got married, she joined her husband in working for democracy. This was during a time when South Korea was ruled by strict governments for over 20 years.
During and after her time as First Lady, she helped improve relations between North and South Korea. She led the Kim Dae Jung Peace Center. This center was started by her husband to help bring peace and better connections between the two Koreas. It also worked to help people who were struggling with poverty.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Lee Hee-ho was born in Keijō, which is now Seoul, on 21 September 1922. At that time, Korea was under Japanese rule. Her father was one of the first people in Korea to become a doctor. Her mother was a very religious Methodist woman. Her mother's family had a history of practicing traditional Korean medicine.
When Lee was 18, her mother passed away. This sad event made Lee decide to live by three important rules: not getting married, staying healthy, and always studying. Her strong religious faith and her love for learning were greatly influenced by her mother.
Lee went to Ewha Girls' High School for her early education.
Her Education Journey
Lee started studying at Ewha College in 1942. She studied Humanities and Arts. However, she could not finish her degree there because of rules made by the Japanese government at the time.
In 1946, she went to Seoul National University. She first studied English literature, but later changed her major to education. She was a leader in her college's student union. Lee graduated from Seoul National University in February 1950, just a few months before the Korean War began.
Later, Lee continued her studies in the United States. She earned a bachelor's degree from Lambuth University. She also studied for a master's degree at Scarritt College for Christian Workers and Lambuth University.
Working for Change
A Champion for Women's Rights
During the Korean War, Lee moved to Busan. There, she and her friends started the Korean Women Youth Organisation. This group was different from the women's groups linked to North Korea's Communist Party. Lee later left this organization because it mainly helped military and police officers. After that, she worked for the youth section of the National Council of Churches in Korea.
In 1952, Lee helped create the Research Institute for Women's Issues. She worked with other women's rights leaders, like Lee Tai-young. Lee Hee-ho later became the second president of this institute, leading it from 1964 to 1970. She was a true pioneer for women's rights in South Korea.
As First Lady
In June 2000, Lee Hee-ho went with her husband to North Korea. This was for the 2000 inter-Korean summit. It was a very important meeting because it was the first time leaders from North and South Korea met face-to-face since Korea was divided. President Kim Dae-jung and Lee Hee-ho met with Kim Jong-il during this summit.
Working for Peace Between Koreas
Even in her 80s and 90s, Lee Hee-ho stayed active in politics and worked for peace between North and South Korea. She visited North Korea many times to encourage talks and better relations. For example, she traveled to Pyongyang in December 2011 after the death of Kim Jong-il.
When she was 92 years old, Lee led a group of 18 people on a friendly trip to North Korea. This trip happened from 5 to 8 August 2015. Her group included former Minister of Culture Kim Sung-jae and scholar Paik Nak-chung, along with several educators.
Her Popularity
In March 2017, a survey asked people about South Korea's first ladies. Lee Hee-ho was chosen as the best first lady in South Korean history. About 46% of the people surveyed had a positive opinion of her.
Personal Life
Lee Hee-ho married Kim Dae-jung in 1962.
Her Passing
On 10 June 2019, Lee Hee-ho passed away at Severance Hospital in Seoul. She was 96 years old. A spokesperson for the Kim Dae Jung Peace Center, which she led, said she died of old age. This was ten years after her husband, Kim Dae-jung, passed away.
Honours
Grand Master and Knight of the Grand Order of Mugunghwa (1998) - This is a very high honor in South Korea.
Books by Lee Hee-ho
- My love my country
- Lee Hee-ho "Pray for tomorrow
- A letter from prison
- To accompany
