President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung made a surprise visit Friday to a traditional market in Seoul's Gangdong district to hear voices from the field on everyday economic life.
The presidential couple visited the Gildong Bokjori Market nearby after attending a Memorial Day remembrance ceremony and a comfort visit to the Central Veterans Hospital in Gangdong, Ahn Gwi-ryeong, deputy presidential spokesperson, said in a written briefing.
When Lee and Kim entered the market, merchants and residents warmly welcomed them with greetings such as "Take good care of your health" and "Thank you for doing a good job."
Lee toured various parts of the market, asking merchants, "How is business today?" and "Have you sold a lot?" as he gauged the recent state of the economy and the mood of the market firsthand. He also took commemorative photos with citizens. Lee and Kim purchased iced coffee and tteokbokki and tasted them on the spot.
One resident, who introduced herself as the mother of a soldier injured in military service, said, "I listened carefully to the Memorial Day remembrance address," adding, "Thank you for promising to improve the support system for wounded service members." A resident holding a pet dog requested, "Please attend carefully to pet policies as well," and Lee replied, "I will look into it carefully."
The presidential couple purchased peppers, popped corn, twigak, seasoned bellflower roots, peanuts and chestnuts, watermelon and apple mango, peaches, corn, and sikhye at the market. Kim stopped in front of a mill and said, "It is not easy to see a mill these days, so I am glad," before buying bean powder.
Afterward, the presidential couple had lunch of naengmyeon, suyuk, and dumplings at a restaurant inside the market with officials from the merchants' association and Lee Hae-sik, a Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker whose constituency includes Gangdong. Lee also asked the merchants' association about ways to revitalize traditional markets, including facility maintenance and parking issues.
Merchants sent off the presidential couple with the greeting "Come again tomorrow," and Lee and Kim waved in response before leaving the site. Lee also visited this location in March 2024, ahead of the general election for the 22nd National Assembly.
