'Somaek with Pork Belly' Surprise Dinner, President Lee Says "Neighborhoods Must Thrive for the Economy to Prosper"

Through Facebook: "Hoping Livelihood Consumption Coupons Will Create a Virtuous Economic Cycle"
"We Will Also Prepare Additional Measures for Domestic Demand Recovery"

President Lee Jaemyung stated regarding the livelihood recovery consumption coupons, "I hope that by stimulating domestic consumption, we can breathe new life into stagnant local businesses and create a virtuous cycle for the economy."

Yonhap News

On July 12, President Lee mentioned on Facebook, "When local neighborhoods thrive, the economy thrives. I encourage everyone to support your local businesses by visiting nearby restaurants and joining in dining out."

He continued, "Your participation will help revive the local economy and serve as a driving force for a hopeful future for Korea. We will also proactively prepare additional measures for domestic demand recovery."

President Lee also revealed that on the evening of July 11, he visited a restaurant in Gwanghwamun, Seoul with presidential office staff to hold an event titled 'Dining Out with the President: A Meal to Revitalize the Local Economy.'

President Lee wrote, "On Friday after work, I had dinner with the staff. Even in the challenging environment where we started without a transition committee or staff to hand over duties, these are the people who have quietly done their best in their respective positions." He added, "I expressed my deep gratitude to everyone, including those who collapsed from overwork and visited the emergency room, the person responsible for returning to work at the Blue House, the field staff preparing for the APEC event in Gyeongju, and the staff in charge of recruitment."

In particular, President Lee said, "It was especially meaningful to meet and greet citizens in person. Sitting across from restaurant owners, employees, and other diners, I listened to their firsthand experiences regarding the economic situation and prices." He continued, "I valued and listened carefully to every opinion," adding, "This meeting will greatly help us to more attentively look after the lives of our citizens and to develop effective policies in the future."

At the event, President Lee ordered pork belly and made 'Somaek' (a mixture of soju and beer) for the staff, saying, "I wanted to have a comfortable meal with those of you who have devoted yourselves in the presidential office, which felt like a wasteland without a transition committee or staff to hand over duties." He added, "Let us work together with the sense of duty that one hour of a public servant is one hour for 52 million citizens."