President Lee Jae-myung showed his willingness to communicate directly with citizens by visiting the alley commercial district near the presidential office in Yongsan on the 26th without prior notice.
According to the presidential office, President Lee returned to the presidential office after finishing his address on the 2025 supplementary budget proposal at the National Assembly that morning. He then visited a restaurant area in Yongsan around 12:40 p.m.
President Lee walked through the alleys near the presidential office with only a few security personnel, meeting with merchants and citizens. Those who encountered him on the scene were surprised by the unexpected visit, prompting requests for impromptu photos and handshakes.
While dining at a long-established restaurant specializing in daegu-tang, President Lee engaged in conversations with citizens. When a merchant offered him manuka honey as a gift, he said, “You shouldn't accept gifts. You can at least touch it,” and he touched the honey jar. He also jokingly remarked, “I feel like I'm getting healthier.”
An unplanned discussion with reporters also took place at the scene. The presidential office noted, “President Lee emphasized that the alley commercial district must thrive for the economy and the livelihoods of the people to improve, and he talked with citizens having lunch and assessed the current state of the real economy and the livelihoods of self-employed shop owners.”
He added, “I hope that the supplementary budget that passed to the National Assembly will improve the living conditions that citizens feel, even a little, and serve as a catalyst for economic recovery.”