'Yoon Seok-yeol Goods' Sold... Presidential Office Promotes Sale of 'Presidential Souvenirs'

Sales at Yongsan Garden, Symbol of Yongsan Era Beyond Cheongwadae Sarangchae
Expansion of Practical Items Like Scarves, Cups Alongside Presidential Watches
'Inigoods' and Other Presidential Souvenirs Frequently Face 'Shortage' Controversies

The Presidential Office is promoting the sale of souvenirs of President Yoon Suk-yeol, so-called 'Yoon Suk-yeol goods.' This is to meet the steady demand for presidential goods and to convey to the public the perception of a 'president who communicates with the people,' moving away from an authoritative image of the president. Former President Moon Jae-in's souvenirs were called 'Inni goods' and experienced early sell-outs and even plagiarism controversies.

According to government ministries on the 4th, the Presidential Office will soon start selling various items symbolizing the Presidential Office, such as watches, scarves, cups, and T-shirts. A key official from the Presidential Office explained that since presidential souvenirs have experienced scarcity and have been sold at high prices even when not officially on sale, they decided to start formal sales to the public.

In particular, coinciding with the Presidential Office's move to Yongsan, the goods sales locations will expand beyond the Cheong Wa Dae Sarangchae to include the Yongsan Children's Garden. The Yongsan Children's Garden symbolizes the Yoon administration's reform, as returning the former 'Yongsan US military base site' to the people was President Yoon's first promise of the 'Yongsan era.' At a press conference as president-elect in March last year, President Yoon promised, "We will create a public park space of several hundred thousand pyeong around the Yongsan presidential office to strengthen communication with the people during my term." At the opening event in May, he attended with his wife, First Lady Kim Keon-hee, and stated, "Returning Cheong Wa Dae to the people and moving the presidential office here reminds me of the spirit at the time of my inauguration."

President Yoon Suk-yeol commemorative watch. [Photo by Presidential Office]

Since the opening of Cheong Wa Dae has continued to attract general public visitors, the Presidential Office decided to continue selling President Yoon's souvenirs at Sarangchae, the former Cheong Wa Dae souvenir shop. Besides Yongsan Children's Garden and Sarangchae, they are looking for an additional location to operate as a 'pop-up store.' They plan to select a place that combines accessibility for the public and symbolism of the Yoon administration, and proceeds from souvenir sales will be donated or returned to society.

The first souvenir of President Yoon is the 'Yoon Suk-yeol watch.' Reflecting President Yoon's practical philosophy, the design is simple and focused on practicality. The front of the watch features the signature 'President Yoon Suk-yeol' along with a gold phoenix pattern, and the back is engraved with the slogan used since the presidential inauguration, 'Again Korea! A New Nation of the People.' The packaging box also includes the presidential emblem and signature. The bag containing the watch and packaging box attracted attention for using recyclable plain materials in compliance with the 'Act on the Promotion of Saving and Recycling Resources.'

The Presidential Office has not disclosed the manufacturer or unit price of the presidential watch, but the manufacturing cost is generally known to be around 50,000 KRW per unit. However, each release has caused scarcity, and as of the 4th, the Yoon president's watch is traded on a secondhand market site at around 400,000 KRW for a men’s and women’s set, and about 200,000 KRW per piece. The Presidential Office is also considering expanding practical items beyond the watch.

Former President Moon's souvenirs once achieved high sales, supported by approval ratings reaching 80%. On the first anniversary of his inauguration, he sold 21 items and 41 types of souvenirs, including watches, cups, chargers, and stationery. However, just before sales, plagiarism allegations arose regarding some products, leading to a sudden halt in sales.

President Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife Kim Keon-hee holding hands with children as they enter the Yongsan Children's Garden, located in the front yard of the Yongsan Presidential Office in Seoul on May 4.
[Photo by the Presidential Office]