President Lee Meets Bujeon Market Merchants in Busan: "Aren't You Cold? Have You Sold Much?"

Lunch at Sashimi Restaurant with Cabinet Members and Aides After Cabinet Meeting
Purchased Almonds, Fish, and Seasoned Chili with Onnuri Gift Certificates and Cash

Presidential spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung announced that President Lee Jaemyung visited Bujeon Market, located near Bujeon Station in Busanjin-gu, after concluding a cabinet meeting held in Busan on the 23rd. There, he met with citizens and market merchants, checking on the livelihoods of ordinary people.

Yonhap News Agency

Bujeon Market, situated in Busanjin-gu, is a medium-to-large market formed by refugees who settled there after the Korean War. It consists of commercial-residential buildings. Residents and merchants warmly welcomed President Lee, who made an unexpected visit, waving and applauding him.

President Lee walked through the market alleys, purchasing almonds and fish with Onnuri gift certificates and buying side dishes such as seasoned chili with cash. Approaching an elderly merchant who lamented poor sales, he asked, "Aren't you cold?" and personally bought roasted sweet potatoes and chestnut sweet potatoes, offering words of encouragement and wishing them a prosperous New Year.

President Lee also greeted Busan citizens he encountered in the market, asking, "Are you here to shop?" and inquired with merchants about business conditions, asking, "How is business these days? Have you sold a lot?" In response, the merchants shook his hand and said, "The economy in Busan is tough, please help us live better," and "Thank you for coming to Busan." One citizen, a former Marine, expressed gratitude for President Lee's directive for the practical independence of the Marine Corps during a Ministry of National Defense briefing, saying, "I am truly grateful."

Amid the welcoming crowd, President Lee also greeted elderly men and women, asking, "Aren't you cold? Did you come out to shop?"

Additionally, after listening to an elderly person's complaints about the market merchants' association, President Lee instructed Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik to hear more details. He then visited a sashimi restaurant in the market and had lunch with cabinet members and presidential office staff.

At the luncheon, President Lee emphasized, "Solving livelihood issues is the top priority in running the nation," and urged everyone to focus all efforts on addressing people’s daily concerns. The restaurant owner brought laughter by saying, "Today is my child's high school graduation, but I rushed here because the President was coming."

After lunch, President Lee shook hands and took photos with residents and merchants as he exited the market, concluding his visit to the traditional market.