After attending a people’s livelihood debate in Seongsu-dong, Seoul this morning (February 8, Thursday), President Yoon Seok-yeol visited the nearby Junggok Jeil Market to encourage merchants and communicate with citizens purchasing ceremonial goods and food for the Lunar New Year holiday.
When the President arrived, many citizens and merchants cheered and welcomed him. The President greeted the merchants’ association president and others who came to meet him and mentioned that he stopped by because his staff who live in Junggok-dong often come to the market here.
The President visited several stores in the market and carefully inspected the situation at the traditional market ahead of the holiday season, asking which items sold the most and what the prices were. He also purchased holiday foods such as pancakes, traditional Korean snacks, and rice cakes.
The President toured stores and interacted with merchants and citizens. At one store at the entrance to the market, an elderly man carrying a baby on his back was asked how old his grandchild was, and at a Korean beef store run by young merchants, they cheered, saying, “Sell a lot,” saying that the meat on display was very colorful. Additionally, I willingly took pictures with citizens who asked to take pictures.
The President stopped by a flower shop and mentioned that the government is making efforts to ease the burden of fixed costs on small business owners, saying, “At the people’s livelihood debate a little while ago, one of the flower shop owners said that it costs a lot of electricity to run refrigerators. The government will also reduce electricity bills.” I did.
Until the President left the market, merchants and citizens did not hesitate to welcome him, chanting “Going Yoon Seok-yeol” or asking for handshakes. The President shook hands with each merchant and citizen and responded with New Year’s wishes and encouragement, saying, “Happy New Year and stay healthy,” and “Sell a lot.”
Today’s visit to Junggok Jeil Market was attended by Minister of SMEs and Startups Oh Young-joo, Presidential Office Chief of Staff Lee Kwan-seop, Policy Director Seong Tae-yoon, Senior Economic Secretary Park Chun-seop, and Junggok Jeil Market merchants’ association president and officials.
