Date of birth Dec. 23, 1947 Education Gyesung Girls Commercial High School, Busan Religion Buddhism Hobbies Music, reading Areas of Interest Welfare, education, culture, women and family

Career

Oct. 2005	Honorary chair, Korean Organizing Committee for the Guest of Honor at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2005
Aug. 2005	Honorary chair, Organizing Committee for the 13th International Conference of Women Engineers and Scientists
June 2005	Honorary Chair, International Interdisciplinary Congress on Women
March 2005	Honorary Adviser, Official Patrons of the National Theater of Korea
Oct. 2004	Honorary Chair, International Council of Museums 2004 Seoul
Sept. 2004	Honorary Chair, Development Support Committee for the Korea National Open University
Sept. 2004	Honorary Chair, Korea Patrons for the International Vaccine Institute
April 2003	Honorary Chair, Social Welfare Joint Fund Raising Association
April 2003	Honorary Chair, Korea Cancer Association

About First Lady Kwon Yang-suk

Mrs. Roh carries a self-composure and graciousness that combined with her thoughtful manner of speech, convey a gentle and lasting impression on her interlocutors and audience. Her unstinting conjugal devotion to and support for the president have held steadfast throughout both trying and gratifying times of his political career. The courteous, unobtrusive and circumspect nature of her comportment has been a vital element underpinning his accomplishments in public life.

Mrs. Roh believes that "the wife of a statesman should neither go ahead of her husband, nor tail too far behind." Her public activities as First Lady include a broad social spectrum with a special emphasis on issues involving women and family.


Excerpts from First Lady Kwon Yang-suk's Remarks

We live in an era of life-long learning. One should ceaselessly strive to acquire knowledge and enhance capabilities throughout one's life. We will build a society where people are judged by their merit, not by which school they graduate from, and where honest and hard-working people can have dreams and hopes. Congratulatory speech at the Seongji Middle and High School commencement (Feb. 9, 2006)

The youth are the core of and hope for future. Korea's future depends on your dreams and growth. We are here to help you fully realize your potentials and grow to become healthy democratic citizens who are capable of living in harmony with others. Congratulatory speech at the 2005 Korea Youth Leader Rally (Sept. 26, 2005)

For future development and co-prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region, the nations in the region shoud step up economic cooperation and further promote women's participation in economic activities. The more the social environment encourages women to fully realize their potentials, the wider the path for common prosperity will become for the mankind. Congratulatory opening remarks at the 10th APEC Women Leaders Network Conference (Aug. 24, 2005)

Despite miraculous progress in science and medicine, many people still suffer from contagious deseases. Poverty leads to illness, which in turn leads to deeper poverty. We should share a responsibility for saving deprived children from contagious diseases. Remarks of Appreciation at Max-Plank Institute in Germany (April 13, 2005)

I believe that a genuine welfare society is where people with disabilities can lead a normal life without much inconvenience. A physical challenge should not become a social challenge. The government is working harder to eliminate discrimination and to promote welfare for people with disabilities. All of us should join hands so that our efforts can be accelerated. Congratulatory speech at the geared wheelchair donation ceremony by the Community Chest of Korea (July 22, 2004)

The more you share "love," the bigger it becomes. And the more you give "love," the better you feel. From caring for our poor and underprivileged neighbors to taking interest in making progress in social issues of women's and human rights and the environment¡Ì¡Áthis is how we practice "love." Congratulatory opening remarks at the Giving EXPO 2003 (Oct. 10, 2003)