Responsibility in Politics - Lee Jae-myung, Kim Hye-kyung's Visit to Sorokdo

Politics Responsibility - Lee Jae-myung, Kim Hye-kyung's Visit to Sorokdo

On the morning when the presidential vehicle arrived at the quiet island, Sorokdo in Goheung, Jeollanam-do, received external attention after a long time. Medical staff, patients, and monks were quietly lined up along the entrance road to the hospital. The stage was not loud, but the first step of that day offered a quiet resonance. On June 25, 2025, President Lee Jae-myung became the first president in the history of the Republic of Korea to visit the National Sorokdo Hospital. His unusual actions towards Hansen's disease patients and staff will be recorded as a symbolic event that goes beyond a simple visit, prompting a reflection on the responsibilities and ethics of politics.

The History and Present of Sorokdo

Sorokdo is a shadow of modern Korean history in itself. In 1916, during the period of Japanese colonial rule, Japan established the Sorokdo Rehabilitation Center on this island to forcibly isolate leprosy patients. Subsequently, this place fell into a space of isolation where childbirth was prohibited and even contact with family members was not allowed. It became more of a place of control and quarantine rather than of medical care, and the memories of it were not easily erased even after liberation. Even after the development of the leprosy treatment in the 1950s, the stigma among the public did not disappear, and those left on the island had to live for a long time as 'invisible beings.' In modern times, despite the WHO's official declaration of the eradication of leprosy, prejudices still persisted.

The significance of Lee Jae-myung's visit

Against this backdrop, this visit holds even more special significance. Sorokdo is not merely a medical institution, but a symbolic place where the nation's past indifference and social exclusion have condensed. This visit is not simply an act of extending a hand of sympathy, but rather an act that shows which places politicians choose to remember and which people they choose to stand with. The starting point of this visit was First Lady Kim Hye-kyung's statement during the 2022 presidential election. At that time, she visited Sorokdo in her capacity as a candidate's spouse and said, 'When I become the president, I will definitely come back together.' Like many politicians' words, this could have ended as a one-time promise. However, now, three years later, the president and the first lady have entered Sorokdo together to fulfill that promise.

"Practical Change

During a tour of the hospital facilities, President Lee Jae-myung confirmed the realities of the site with his own eyes. Medical Director Oh Dong-chan, who has been working there for 29 years, conveyed the difficulties by mentioning the leaking roof and the old facilities. In response, the president asked, "The facilities are old, and isn't there much that is needed?" and replied, "There are many things we can help with." In fact, the revised budget proposal for the second supplementary budget includes funding for the renovation of Sorokdo Hospital's facilities. This is noteworthy as it transcends mere symbolic visits and connects to institutional practices. It serves as a testament to how politics can reflect the voices from the field and be implemented into substantive policies.

Strong remarks from the President

The most resonant part of this visit was the president's remarks. He stated emphatically that 'social prejudice must be eliminated.' This was not just a statement soaked in sympathy or sentiment it confronted the deeply rooted, diseased perceptions that still exist in Korean society. While leprosy has now been eradicated, the gaze upon those affected by it has not transcended the language of isolation and discrimination. The discrimination faced by their children and the aversion to the spaces they inhabit is an ongoing issue. The president's mention of prejudice in this context can be seen as an ethical declaration directed toward the entire community.

Long-term Impact of Visiting Sorokdo

Sorokdo is not simply a current space but a place where layers of past memories are intertwined. This site holds a history of forced sterilizations, prohibitions on childbirth, isolation, and human rights violations. During this visit, the residents shared their testimonies about these memories, and the president listened to their stories attentively. He also responded by stating that he would reflect this in policy. This action goes beyond a simple inquiry into the past it is an acknowledgment of the state's responsibility to confront and rectify its historical wrongs. It is a legitimate response to the voices that emerged from a previously silent space.

The essence of politics

This visit is not just a day's event, but a demonstration of how politicians should fulfill their social responsibilities. Medical professionals, religious figures, and patients who have long remained silent said that for the first time, they felt the gaze of the nation through this visit. That gaze was not one-sided benevolence, but a look of dignity that recognizes each other as fellow human beings. When politics transcends institutions and remembers the faces of people, it truly transforms into responsible politics.

The Meaning of Conclusion

When the president left the island, the patients quietly waved their hands. Their expressions conveyed more than words could express. It was a sense of gratitude and also the feeling of recovery of existence after a long wait. The essence of politics starts with being with a few, gazing towards those who are the least visible. The visit to Sorokdo was, in that sense, not just a scene but a microcosm of the sustainable values that politics should pursue.