After attending the Parents' Day ceremony, visits the market
Encourages vendors and reviews plans to revive the market
Bought hairpins and more with Onnuri gift certificates
Ate hotteok and jokbal while engaging with shoppers
Encourages vendors and reviews plans to revive the market
Bought hairpins and more with Onnuri gift certificates
Ate hotteok and jokbal while engaging with shoppers
President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung made a surprise visit to Namdaemun Market in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 8th, where they met and spoke with shoppers. In a written briefing, Blue House deputy spokesman An Gwi-ryeong said the presidential couple visited the nearby Namdaemun Market after attending the 54th Parents' Day ceremony at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry that day.
The unannounced stop was arranged to encourage small business owners who have been hit by an economic slowdown linked to developments in the Middle East. The visit also served as an opportunity to review measures to revive traditional markets and boost tourism amid a recent uptick in foreign visitors.
When the president asked whether business was doing well, one vendor replied, \"The economy is tough, but foreign tourists have increased, so it's livelier than before.\" Another vendor said, \"We need support so even more foreign tourists can come.\" The first lady said, \"I used to come often to the children's clothing section of Namdaemun Market. Returning after a long time, I can still feel its energy and warmth.\"
The presidential couple purchased hats, eyeglass straps and dumplings using Onnuri gift certificates and cash.
While touring the market, the president regularly posed for photos with crowds and even made finger-heart gestures to people waving from a distance.
While dining at a jokbal (braised pig's trotters) restaurant inside the market, the couple shared a reminiscence: the president recalled that he used to come to Namdaemun Market and enjoy jokbal when he was preparing for the bar exam. The president also heard from Moon Nam-yeop, the vendors' association president who dined with them, about the market's atmosphere and the condition of its facilities.
After the meal, the couple visited Building C of Namdaemun Market. There, the first lady bought hairpins, earrings and a necklace.
Vendors told the president that overseas demand for K-fashion and accessories has been steadily rising, with export volumes accounting for a significant share of sales.
As the couple prepared to leave, citizens shouted, \"Please make a country where children can grow up well,\" and \"Stay healthy.\" The president and first lady waved in response.
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