Yoon Takes Two-Day Leave with Navy Troops in Jinhae: "National Security and Economy Are Connected"

Communicating with soldiers while enjoying basketball and jokgu
Dinner with Cheonanham attack veterans and others
Yoon "Strong national security helps the economy"

President Yoon Seok-yeol, who is staying at the Jinhae Naval Base in Gyeongnam for summer vacation, is encouraging soldiers playing a jokgu match at the Jinhae Base Command Gymnasium on the afternoon of the 7th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

President Yoon Suk-yeol, who is on summer vacation, stayed at the Jinhae Naval Base for two days from the 6th to the 7th, enjoying basketball and jokgu with the troops. President Yoon emphasized, "A strong national security posture also benefits the economy," encouraging the soldiers.

President Yoon strengthened unity by engaging in various physical activities such as basketball and jokgu with navy and marine corps soldiers that afternoon, President Yoon’s spokesperson Jeong Hye-jeon stated in a written briefing.

When President Yoon entered the gymnasium of the Jinhae Base Command, about 30 navy soldiers welcomed him by shouting "Victory," and President Yoon encouraged them by giving high-fives and saying, "Thank you for your hard work."

President Yoon also took shots from the free-throw line. When he missed his first shot, the soldiers shouted "One more time," and encouraged by their support, he succeeded on his third attempt. After making his fifth and sixth shots consecutively, President Yoon celebrated with the soldiers by giving high-fives.

Then, with President Yoon’s first serve, a jokgu match among the soldiers began, and President Yoon cheered on a major who participated in the game by saying, "You look like a player. Fighting!"

The Presidential Office stated, "President Yoon stayed at the Jinhae Naval Base for two days, sharing meals, drinks, and conversations with soldiers who have diverse military experiences, including participating in sports activities," adding, "He encouraged and cheered the soldiers he met by saying, 'I am very happy to spend my vacation with the soldiers I love.'"

In particular, President Yoon had dinner with personnel who served during the Cheonan ship attack, soldiers from the Yeonpyeong Unit during the Yeonpyeong Island shelling, overseas deployed troops such as the Cheonghae Unit and Ark Unit, submarine experts, navy special forces soldiers, and key naval commanders.

President Yoon Seok-yeol, who is staying at the Jinhae Naval Base in Gyeongnam for summer vacation, is throwing a jump ball to soldiers playing a basketball game at the Jinhae Base Command Gymnasium on the afternoon of the 7th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

A marine officer said, "In my 20 years of military service, I have never been prouder than now," and "I deeply appreciate that President Yoon remembers and respects uniformed soldiers more than any previous president," the Presidential Office explained.

A navy special warfare non-commissioned officer who has served for 35 years and is set to retire next year said, "Last year, for the first time in history, the president visited and encouraged the Navy Special Warfare Group, boosting the morale of the troops," adding, "The special warfare group, which stands at the forefront of wartime operations, will risk their lives and do their best in any mission."

President Yoon said, "Our security posture must ensure that, along with our military’s full readiness, strategic cooperation and security collaboration with allied countries make the international community support us when South Korea is in a precarious situation," emphasizing, "Especially for the navy, where internationalism applies, cooperation between countries is crucial."

He continued, "A strong national security posture not only protects South Korea from North Korea but also benefits the economy. It reassures investors in South Korea," and said, "National security and the economy are connected."

President Yoon Seok-yeol, who is staying at the Jinhae Naval Base in Gyeongnam for summer vacation, is encouraging soldiers engaged in physical activities at the Jinhae Base Command Gymnasium on the afternoon of the 7th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]