The Tradition of Sending Gifts to the Disadvantaged and Elders on Holidays
No Gifts Were Sent Even During Park Geun-hye's Suspension from Office
Due to the unprecedented situation of a sitting president being detained, it has become difficult to expect presidential Lunar New Year gifts this year.
President Yoon Suk-yeol sent gifts last Lunar New Year to uniformed heroes and their bereaved families, socially disadvantaged groups, and elders from various sectors. The gifts consisted of regional specialties such as Baekilju (Gongju), pine nuts (Gapyeong), citron syrup (Goheung), and beef jerky (Hoengseong). Buddhist communities received acacia honey (Nonsan), citron syrup, pine nuts, and dried shiitake mushrooms (Yangyang). Additionally, the gifts included message cards based on President Yoon’s handwritten notes. At that time, President Yoon wrote on the card, "I will look after each and every citizen more warmly," and "I will lay the cornerstone for a greater future. Happy New Year."
A gift prepared by President Yoon Seok-yeol for the 2024 Lunar New Year. Provided by the Presidential Office
The tradition of the president delivering Lunar New Year gifts began in the mid to late 1970s. Notably, former President Roh Moo-hyun sent traditional liquors along with regional specialties during his term. President Roh consecutively gifted traditional liquors for four years: Chrysanthemum wine in 2004, Igangju in 2005, Gayagokwangju in 2006, and Songhwa Baekilju in 2007. Former President Moon Jae-in also chose potato liquor as a gift for the 2018 Lunar New Year to wish for the successful hosting of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.
The only other time when there were no presidential gifts during the Lunar New Year was in 2017. At that time, due to the impeachment motion against former President Park Geun-hye being passed amid the political scandal, she was suspended from office and no gifts were sent. In the previous year, 2016, former President Park prepared regional specialties such as jujubes from Boeun, Chungbuk, shiitake mushrooms from Jangheung, Jeonnam, and anchovies from Tongyeong, Gyeongnam as Lunar New Year gifts.
President Yoon Seok-yeol, who was arrested on charges of leading an insurrection, is attending the fourth impeachment trial hearing held at the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 23rd. Not only were there no Lunar New Year gifts, but presidential holiday videos and greeting cards were also not released. During last year’s Chuseok holiday, President Yoon and his wife released a Chuseok holiday video on the presidential office website expressing deep gratitude to the military personnel, police officers, firefighters, and medical staff working in emergency rooms who dedicate themselves to the nation even during the holiday.
Meanwhile, President Yoon Suk-yeol is spending the Lunar New Year holiday at Seoul Detention Center. Without any special schedule, he is expected to spend the holiday preparing for the Constitutional Court impeachment trial and the first trial of the treason criminal case. Following the prosecution’s decision on the 26th to indict President Yoon while in custody, his status changed from suspect to defendant. This year, the correctional authorities will not prepare special holiday meals for inmates. On the morning of the Lunar New Year, the 29th, the Seoul Detention Center menu will consist of rice cake soup, seasoned dried seaweed, and napa cabbage kimchi.
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