Yoon Takes to the Streets... "Prices Are Rising, It's Tough" Asks Citizens to "Please Wait a Little Longer" (Comprehensive)

Meeting citizens, taking photos, and giving high-fives
Spokesperson Kim Su-gyeong: "Deeper into the lives of the people"

President Yoon Suk-yeol is greeting an employee of a restaurant in the food culture street of Mugo-dong, Dae-dong while on his way to visit Cheonggyecheon in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 10th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

President Yoon Suk-yeol went out to the streets on the 10th to meet citizens in celebration of his 2nd anniversary in office. When citizens responded that "prices have risen a lot and it is difficult," President Yoon showed a willingness to communicate by saying, "We are putting all our efforts into it. Please wait a little longer." The Presidential Office explained this move by President Yoon as "a determination to go deeper into the lives of the people."

Kim Soo-kyung, spokesperson for the Presidential Office, explained in a written briefing that day, "On the 10th, marking the 2nd anniversary of his inauguration, President Yoon visited a restaurant district frequently visited by office workers in Jung-gu, Seoul, to check dining-out prices and took a walk along the nearby Cheonggyecheon Stream to spend time communicating with citizens."

During lunchtime, President Yoon ate kimchi jjigae with aides at a restaurant in Jung-gu. He asked the restaurant owner how much the price of kimchi jjigae had increased compared to two years ago, and when the owner replied that it had risen from 8,000 won to 12,000 won, he said it seemed to be due to increased labor and ingredient costs.

After finishing his meal, President Yoon met with citizens and said, "I came out to check dining-out prices and meet with you all." He added that he had not come out often due to concerns that security and other reasons might cause inconvenience to the public. When a citizen shouted, "Please come out often," he replied, "If you are not inconvenienced, I will come out often."

President Yoon Suk-yeol is greeting office workers and citizens while moving to Cheonggyecheon in the area of Mugyo-dong Food Culture Street, Dadong, Jung-gu, Seoul on the 10th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Afterwards, President Yoon met with office workers and citizens taking a walk along Cheonggyecheon Stream. When he asked a young office worker, "Do you eat out a lot these days?" and received the reply, "Prices have risen a lot and it is difficult," President Yoon said, "The government is putting all its efforts into controlling prices. Please wait a little longer."

He then visited Yeongcheon Market near Dongnimmun, where he visited butcher shops, fish stores, vegetable and fruit stalls, directly asked about prices, and did some shopping. At this time, a store merchant said, "The Onnuri gift certificate commission is high, so we cannot sell products cheaply, which is causing prices to rise," and President Yoon immediately instructed Chief Secretary for Economic Affairs Park Chun-seop, who accompanied him, to come up with countermeasures on the spot.

Spokesperson Kim explained, "As President Yoon left the market, he asked an elderly person selling vegetables at a street stall if they had sold a lot today and said he would also buy a lot." She added, "He communicated with citizens by taking photos one by one upon request and giving high-fives."

President Yoon Suk-yeol is taking a commemorative photo with merchants at Yeongcheon Market in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 10th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Along with Chief Secretary Park, President Yoon’s on-site visit was accompanied by Chief Secretary for Civil Affairs Kim Joo-hyun, Policy Chief Seong Tae-yoon, Seo Daemun-gu Mayor Lee Seong-heon, and Yeongcheon Market Merchants Association Chairman Park Jong-bok. Spokesperson Kim said, "The Chief Secretary for Civil Affairs and the Chief Secretary for Economic Affairs stayed close to the president throughout the schedule, listened carefully to the stories told by merchants and citizens, and recorded the instructions the president gave on site."

This was President Yoon’s first visit to a traditional market in 58 days since his visit to Samcheonpo Yonggung Fish Market in Sacheon, Gyeongnam, on March 13. It is interpreted as President Yoon, who promised to strengthen communication with the people after the ruling party’s defeat in the general election, embarking on a full-scale 'livelihood care' initiative. President Yoon is also expected to resume the livelihood discussion meetings, which have not been held since March 26, starting next week.