"Having three children is my dream," reporter says, Yoon replies, "That really wakes me up"

Dinner with Press Corps on Presidential Office Lawn
Yoon "Birthrate Must Be Improved to Revolutionary Level"
Promises to Strengthen Communication with Media by Serving Food Personally

President Yoon Suk-yeol is conversing with attendees at the dinner meeting for the press corps invited to the "President's Evening Invitation" held on the lawn of the Yongsan Presidential Office building in Seoul on the 24th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon Suk-yeol held a dinner event with reporters on the 24th and emphasized, "Low birthrate is a situation that needs to be improved at a revolutionary level," assuring that no one will be unable to have children due to financial difficulties. He also said he would communicate frequently with reporters going forward, stating, "I have never rejected or felt uncomfortable with the media."

On the afternoon of the same day, President Yoon hosted a dinner event titled "The President's Evening Invitation" at the lawn yard of the Yongsan Presidential Office, inviting about 200 reporters, where he made these remarks.

When a pregnant reporter spoke on behalf of others, saying, "My dream is to have a third child," and "I hope effective measures will allow me to give my baby a younger sibling," President Yoon responded, "That really wakes me up."

He went on to explain, "Pension, labor, education, healthcare, and low birthrate are the five core tasks, and especially low birthrate is a situation that needs to be improved at a revolutionary level," adding, "In a way, low birthrate is the most critical issue that connects all other tasks."

President Yoon said, "For example, healthcare reform is all connected to the low birthrate issue," and added, "If a pediatric essential medical system is well established, wouldn't people feel secure to have and raise children?"

In particular, President Yoon emphasized that the current government advocates state responsibility to ensure that no one is unable to have or raise children due to lack of money.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is making closing remarks at the dinner meeting for the press corps invited to the "President's Evening Invitation" held on the lawn of the Yongsan Presidential Office building in Seoul on the 24th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon also announced plans to further strengthen communication with the media.

He said, "Doorstepping ended somewhat regrettably, and I felt it was not efficient in fulfilling the public's right to know," adding, "I also considered that it might be better to hold one or two national briefings on specific issues per month. I will communicate frequently with reporters going forward."

He continued, "I have spent my entire public service career in an atmosphere of frequent communication with the media, so I have never rejected or felt uncomfortable with the media," and added, "The relationship between the public service community and the media seems to have become rigid at some point, but let's meet often from now on."

There was also mention that the government is making considerable efforts to achieve diplomatic successes.

President Yoon said, "Diplomacy, security, and supply chain issues are very important for the country's future. I want to think together with reporters about the country's future as much as domestic politics," and added, "Sometimes I feel regretful that reporters' interest seems to be focused only on domestic political issues."

Meanwhile, at the dinner, President Yoon personally grilled meat and made rolled omelets for the reporters while wearing an apron. During his presidential candidate period in March 2022, he promised reporters that he would cook kimchi stew after taking office, and that promise was fulfilled about two years and two months later. Kimchi stew made with 'Yoon Suk-yeol's recipe' was also served at the dinner.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is serving kimchi jjigae at the dinner reception for the press corps invited to the "President's Evening Invitation" held on the lawn of the Yongsan Presidential Office building in Seoul on the 24th. [Image source=Yonhap News]