[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] On the first day of the Chuseok holiday, the 9th, President Yoon Seok-yeol visited Tongin Market in Jongno-gu, Seoul, to meet with merchants.
Lee Jae-myung, Deputy Spokesperson of the Presidential Office, stated in a written briefing that President Yoon volunteered at the Myeongdong Cathedral free meal service in Jung-gu in the morning and then visited Tongin Market around noon.
President Yoon toured rice cake shops, jeon (Korean pancake) shops, and snack bars, greeting citizens who visited the market. He also asked merchants about the holiday business conditions. He added, "Since this is the first Chuseok holiday without social distancing in three years, the threshold for meeting family and relatives has lowered, so I hope more customers come and the economy improves."
He wrote messages such as "Have a comfortable Hangawi" in response to autograph requests from some merchants and also responded to photo requests from citizens. To the citizens gathered at the market entrance, he said, "Have a restful holiday. We will take responsibility for the people's livelihood."
President Yoon had lunch with Jeong Heung-woo, the head of the merchants' association, and others at a knife-cut noodle restaurant inside Tongin Market. He said, "I visited the market to express my gratitude to the merchants who have persevered despite ongoing COVID-19, high prices, and overlapping damages from typhoons and floods."
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