[Politics X-File] What Will Be Included in the President's Chuseok Gifts Ahead of the General Election?

(37) Presidential Chuseok Gifts, More Special Meaning
Past Presidents Balanced Regional Specialty Products
Recipient Selection Also a Focus of Attention

Editor's Note"Political X-Files" is a series project that delivers "unprecedented stories" recorded in the election results and incidents of Korean politics.

"We will carefully manage so that our economy stands up again and warmth spreads throughout society. We will move forward looking only at the people."

President Yoon Suk-yeol conveyed these well-wishes while sending Chuseok gifts this year. Sending gifts to close acquaintances or relatives during the Chuseok holiday is a long-standing custom in our society. If gifts are burdensome, people often send well-wishes and prayers for happiness via phone calls or messages.

Chuseok is the biggest traditional holiday of the nation. Receiving a presidential gift during Chuseok inevitably carries special significance. It can be seen as a sign of social success or living a diligent life.

The Presidential Office also puts great effort into selecting Chuseok gifts. Among them, the Chuseok holiday before important election schedules such as the National Assembly general election is even more special. They manage carefully to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings while ensuring the president's message is well conveyed.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is looking around ritual items at the 'Chueokmaji Paldo Market' held ahead of Chuseok on the 24th at Yongsan Children's Garden in Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Especially, regional balance is an essential factor in composing Chuseok gifts. Presidential gifts, which are delivered in boxes containing 4 to 6 items, cannot include specialties from all regions. However, it is common practice to try to include specialties from major regions such as Gyeonggi, Gangwon, Chungcheong, Yeongnam, Honam, and Jeju.

This year's Chuseok gifts consisted of specialties such as red pepper paste from Sunchang, Jeollanam-do; tangerine salt from Seogwipo, Jeju; soybean paste from Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi; perilla oil from Taean, Chungcheongnam-do; soy sauce from Yeongwol, Gangwon; and sesame oil from Yecheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do.

Jeollanam-do, Jeju, Gyeonggi, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Gangwon, and Chungcheongnam-do were the target regions for specialties in the 2023 presidential Chuseok gifts. Being selected as a presidential Chuseok gift is an opportunity to widely promote the excellence of the local specialty.

President Yoon did not base his politics on any specific region before his inauguration, and his hometown is Seoul.

Past presidents have sometimes included specialties from regions related to their political bases or main areas of activity in their Chuseok gifts. Such gifts often invite various political interpretations.

Then, what was included in the presidential Chuseok gifts during the period before the 21st general election four years ago?

Citizens are shopping at Cheongnyangni General Market in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, one week before Chuseok, the biggest traditional holiday of the nation. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

Former President Moon Jae-in's 2019 Chuseok gifts included specialties such as sogokju (a traditional liquor) from Seocheon, Chungcheongnam-do (with honey from Jecheon, Chungcheongbuk-do for youth and religious figures), seaweed from Gijang, Busan, peanuts from Gochang, Jeollabuk-do, and gondre greens from Jeongseon, Gangwon-do.

Specialties from Chungcheongnam-do, Chungcheongbuk-do, Busan, Jeollabuk-do, and Gangwon-do were included. Busan was the area where former President Moon had his law office during his career as a lawyer. This is why the seaweed from Gijang, Busan, attracted attention among the Chuseok gifts at that time.

What about the 2015 Chuseok gifts before the 20th general election? Former President Park Geun-hye's Chuseok gifts included Jeju glutinous millet, sticky rice from Dalseong, Daegu, new rice from Yeoju, Gyeonggi-do, black rice from Jindo, Jeollanam-do, and pine nuts from Hongcheon, Gangwon-do.

Attention was focused on the inclusion of sticky rice from Dalseong, Daegu. Dalseong was Park Geun-hye's own electoral district when she was a member of the National Assembly. The inclusion of a specialty from Dalseong, a region with a special political connection to the president among various Yeongnam areas, led to various political interpretations.

Who the Chuseok gifts are sent to also reflects the president's awareness.

In his first year in office last year, President Yoon sent Chuseok gifts to about 13,000 people from various sectors, including elders who devoted themselves to national and social development, war heroes and their families, and socially disadvantaged groups. Chuseok gifts were also delivered to those involved in the space industry, such as the Nuri rocket launch.

Elders from various sectors, war hero families, and socially disadvantaged groups are regular recipients of presidential gifts during holidays.

One week before Chuseok, the biggest traditional holiday, gift fruit boxes are piled up at Cheongnyangni General Market in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul on the 22nd. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

What about the 2019 Chuseok gifts? Former President Moon sent gifts to about 14,000 people, including elders who devoted themselves to the nation, national merit recipients, and socially disadvantaged groups.

In addition, rescue workers at the Hungarian cruise ship accident site, volunteers who fought the Gangwon wildfire, participants in the prevention of contagious diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease and African swine fever, helpers for the disabled, medical service recipients, descendants of independence activists, and exemplary youth also received Chuseok gifts.

Former President Park Geun-hye sent Chuseok gifts in 2015 to major figures from various sectors, national merit recipients, and socially disadvantaged groups. In addition, elderly living alone, people with severe disabilities, children under foster care, victims of Japanese military sexual slavery, patriots, sanitation workers, multicultural families, and participants in self-support projects also received gifts.

Presidential Chuseok gifts bring special joy and honor to the recipients. However, if a social elder or major figure does not receive a presidential gift or if someone questions why a presidential gift was given, it can become a subject of controversy.

The very fact that such controversies arise may reflect the special significance of presidential Chuseok gifts.