First Visit by a Sitting President... No Prior Notice
Yoon Walks Around Booth Saying "Please Receive Good Consultation"
Shakes Hands with Soldiers and Encourages Them... Also Takes Commemorative Photos
President Yoon Suk-yeol is visiting the Veterans Employment and Startup Expo held at the War Memorial of Korea in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the 10th, touring company booths. [Image source=Yonhap News]
President Yoon Suk-yeol made a surprise visit on the 10th to the Veterans Employment and Start-up Expo held at the War Memorial of Korea in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. President Yoon urged company representatives to take an interest in hiring veterans and encouraged the soldiers who came for consultations by saying, "Make sure to receive good counseling."
President Yoon's visit was an unannounced surprise visit, according to Presidential Office spokesperson Jung Hye-jeon in a written briefing. To minimize inconvenience to participants, the number of accompanying personnel was kept to a minimum. This is the first time a sitting president has visited the site since the Veterans and Families Employment Expo began in 2004.
President Yoon moved around the company recruitment booths, urging company representatives to pay attention to veterans and hire many of them. He stopped by the Hyundai Rotem booth, a defense contractor, showing interest by asking what percentage of veterans they hire. To participants receiving consultations, he asked which unit they served in and encouraged them by saying, "Make sure to receive good counseling."
At the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Hanwha Aerospace recruitment booths, he encouraged the soldiers receiving consultations by asking, "Which unit are you currently serving in? What field are you interested in?"
President Yoon also visited booths of public enterprises and financial institutions such as Korea Airports Corporation and Woori Bank. He asked the Korea Airports Corporation employment officer where veterans mainly work and which branch of the military?Army, Navy, or Air Force?hires more veterans. As he left the booth, he requested, "Please hire many."
Spokesperson Jung said, "Every time the president moved around the expo booths, soldiers in uniform gathered around him, saluted with 'Loyalty,' and gave a salute. The president asked the soldiers about their units and shook hands with each one, encouraging the soldiers who work hard for national security."
President Yoon readily agreed to photo requests from the soldiers and took commemorative photos on the spot.
The expo was organized to support the employment and start-ups of mid- to long-term veterans who have dedicated themselves to national security and to raise public interest in veteran support. About 5,000 people, including veterans, soldiers scheduled to be discharged, and company representatives, participated. After touring the 'Korean War Veterans Monument,' President Yoon left the expo venue.
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