'Quiet 1st Anniversary' for Yoon, Likely to Convey Reform Will to Cabinet Members and Ruling Party Leadership

Lunch with aides, Cabinet members, and ruling party leaders at Yongsan Presidential Office
Small commemorative photo exhibition at the office showcasing one year of activities
Likely to preside over next week's Cabinet meeting to deliver additional messages

President Yoon Seok-yeol, who marks his first anniversary in office on the 10th, will spend a 'quiet day.' He is scheduled to have lunch at the Yongsan Presidential Office with Cabinet members, ruling party leaders, and presidential aides to deliver a message urging the promotion of government tasks, but there will be no separate press conference. A presidential office official stated, "We believe it is a priority to focus on preparing for the ongoing and upcoming overseas trips and addressing domestic issues rather than stepping forward to showcase achievements to the public."

Earlier, President Yoon chaired a Cabinet meeting the day before and effectively delivered a message to the public regarding the first year of his administration. Although the meeting was intended to order follow-up measures for the consecutive overseas trips, the focus was on addressing the previous administration's mistakes and expressing determination to advance government tasks.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

During the lunch, President Yoon is expected to share his reflections on the past year and urge active efforts by the government and ruling party for reforms. Considering that the day before, President Yoon instructed Cabinet members, "If they do not align with the new government policy direction and take an ambiguous stance, take bold personnel actions," there is also a possibility that additional messages regarding strengthening public service discipline will be conveyed.

President Yoon plans to personally oversee next week's Cabinet meeting to provide direction for the second year of government administration. Since the previous Cabinet meeting dealt with evaluating diplomatic achievements, the meeting on the 16th is expected to continue with evaluations and future policies in the economic and social sectors.

The first official message from President Yoon in his second year is expected to come during the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting on the 11th. President Yoon will chair the meeting directly for the first time in about nine months and deliver a public message regarding the easing of quarantine measures closely related to the daily lives of citizens. This follows the World Health Organization's (WHO) decision on the 5th to lift the international public health emergency status for COVID-19 after three years and four months.

The presidential office itself is continuing efforts to publicize the achievements of the first year of the Yoon administration. On the 8th, a video titled "The President's Promise for a Standing Republic of Korea" was released on the official YouTube channel, "Yoon Seok-yeol TV." Through five videos themed on security, fairness, national interest, future, and national dignity, the president's promises and his actions over the past year to fulfill them were conveyed.

The presidential office also distributed a booklet titled "One Year Since the Launch of the Yoon Seok-yeol Government, This is How the Country is Changing." It introduced achievements and changes in 16 areas since the start of the Yoon administration. The day before, plans were announced to produce a 3D anamorphic media art video titled "National Vision Public Sympathy," featuring visions for Korea's space, defense, export, advanced technology, and cultural industries, which will be displayed on major digital billboards throughout Seoul.

A small commemorative photo exhibition is also being held at the Yongsan office building. About 20 photos capturing moments since President Yoon's inauguration are displayed, including his inauguration ceremony, driving a tractor, inviting Cambodian boy Rota to the presidential office where President Yoon is seen juggling a soccer ball, visiting the Jincheon training center for a sports vision briefing, aiming with a bow and arrow, delivering a joint address to the U.S. Congress, and dining with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

Photos showcasing President Yoon's major achievements are also exhibited, including his inauguration ceremony with the public, the elevation of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, luncheons with military personnel and defense export strategy meetings, emergency economic and livelihood meetings, the train trip to Davos, the official welcoming ceremony for the state visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), luncheon with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, and the official welcoming ceremony for the state visit to the United States. A presidential office official explained regarding this exhibition, "It commemorates the first anniversary by displaying President Yoon's major activities and aims to unite the staff to continue doing well moving forward."