The National Archives of Korea on Monday disclosed Christmas cards received by former presidents through its Web portal (www.pa.go.kr).

The archives also released six photos and 10 records related to Christmas as well as 14 Christmas cards sent by kindergartners, elementary and middle school students.

Presidents receive Christmas cards from people of all walks of life, including members of the public and ethnic Koreans living overseas, not to mention heads of state and political and business leaders.

A female member of the Little Angels, a Korean art troupe of elementary students, sent a Christmas card to former President Park Chung-hee in 1973. She wrote on the card, “I would give President Park and his wife the most delicious hamburger here and a kiss as my Christmas present.”

A third-year middle school student sent a Christmas card to former President Roh Moo-hyun, in which he wrote, “Thank you for keeping promises made to us after being elected president this year.”

Members of a kindergarten sent a Christmas card to former President Lee Myung-bak. They wrote in the card, “We would like to go to president’s house. Be careful not to catch a cold.”

Other records include a Christmas message from former President Syngman Rhee to Korean brethren living in the United States in 1951, a Christmas message from former President Choi Kyu-ha to U.N. soldiers in Korea in 1979, a photo of former President Kim Young-sam and his wife buying Christmas seals in 1995, and a photo of former President Kim Dae-jung and his wife encouraging a Salvation Army fund-raiser near a charity kettle in 1999.

By Chun Sung-woo (swchun@heraldcorp.com)