Hong Jung Min Says President Lee Skipped Meals for Work, Often Ate Dried Persimmon Strips

Hong Jung Min Shares Photo of President Lee Enjoying Dried Persimmon Strips on Social Media
"Worried About His Tendency to Focus Solely on Work Over Health"

President Lee Jae Myung expressed his deep regret and heavy sense of responsibility regarding the incident in which a staff member working at the presidential office collapsed due to overwork. In response, former Democratic Party lawmaker Hong Jung Min shared an anecdote from her time working with President Lee.

On June 12, Hong wrote on her Facebook account under the title "President Lee Jae Myung - Dried Persimmon Strips and DNA Anecdote," saying, "I am worried that he might continue to overexert himself for the next five years."

Photo of President Lee Jae Myung enjoying dried sweet potato strips. Photo by Hong Jung Min, former member of the National Assembly, Facebook.

Referring to the incident that took place around 9 p.m. on June 11, when a staff member in his 40s, identified as Mr. A, collapsed from overwork at the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul, Hong said, "I am concerned because President Lee also has a tendency to focus solely on work rather than his own health."

During the 20th presidential election, Hong served as the spokesperson for then-candidate Lee Jae Myung throughout the Democratic Party's primary process, accompanying him for all schedules. She said, "(President Lee) would stay up late at night, checking every message sent by supporters via SMS, KakaoTalk, and Telegram. He also took care of all the policies, schedules, and issues reported from various units within the campaign, personally reviewing anything that required his attention." She continued, "He always read the speeches, media interviews, and briefings I provided on the same day and gave feedback. Sometimes, he would read and reply at 2 or 3 in the morning."

She added that President Lee "not only barely slept, but also rarely ate properly." From around May 2021, when the primary officially began, until the end of the presidential election, he hardly drank alcohol, not even for a single day. She explained that this was because he wanted to maintain a clear mind.

Hong said that President Lee often skipped meals either because he had no appetite or was pressed for time during travel. The only food that suited his taste and saved time was dried persimmon strips, so he frequently replaced meals with them while moving between schedules. She also attached a photo of President Lee eating dried persimmon strips in the car at that time.

She said she recommended that President Lee allow for more flexibility in his schedule for the sake of his health, but President Lee replied at the time, "My parents passed down something incredible. When it comes to stamina, I am confident," so she could not advise him any further.

The previous day, President Lee wrote on Facebook, "I heard the news that a staff member at the presidential office collapsed due to overwork. Please do not worry about your duties and focus solely on your recovery." He emphasized, "While the mission given to us as public servants for the people is important, your health and safety are even more important." He added, "I earnestly ask you to take care of yourselves first."