President Lee Jae-myung made an unannounced visit to Nammok Maseong Market in Dong-gu, Ulsan, on Thursday after chairing a "K-Shipbuilding Future Vision Meeting" in the city.
Lee toured the market, listened to merchants and purchased shiitake mushrooms, Korean melons, braised half-dried pollack and red pepper miso salad using cash and Onnuri gift certificates, Presidential Office Deputy Spokesperson Ahn Gui-ryeong said in a written briefing. The president also tasted and bought mugwort rice cakes, fried chicken skin, sikhye (sweet rice drink) and sweet red bean bread on the spot.
Lee asked merchants, "How is business today?" and "Have you sold a lot?" while checking grocery prices. He also shook hands with them and expressed his commitment to revitalizing neighborhood commerce.
To a merchant in his 90s, said to be the oldest at the market, Lee said, "You must take good care of your health for a long time." Merchants responded with greetings such as "Thank you for reviving the national economy" and "I hope not a single shop in the market stays empty."
Lee also interacted with citizens visiting the market, shaking hands and responding to requests for photos. He exchanged high-fives with teenagers.
Citizens expressed their delight at seeing the president, saying "My dream has come true" and "I ran here while cooking rice," Deputy Spokesperson Ahn said.
