"I Could Not Go, But It Seems the Chicken Did"... President Lee Sends Chicken and Pizza to Yeonpyeong Unit

Was scheduled to visit Yeonpyeong unit but could not go due to bad weather

President Lee Jaemyung said, "Today I was supposed to visit the Marine Corps unit on Yeonpyeong Island to congratulate them on the Marine Corps being elevated to a quasi-fourth-branch system and to encourage the Marines who are working hard on the front line, but I could not go because the helicopter could not take off due to worsening weather conditions."

On X (formerly Twitter) on the 13th, President Lee wrote, "I could not go, but it seems the chicken did," adding this comment. The post uploaded by President Lee included a video of service members holding pizza and chicken and shouting, "Mr. President, thank you for the food."

President Lee said, "Proud service members of the Republic of Korea, I wish you good health and a Happy New Year."

The elevation of the Marine Corps to a quasi-fourth-branch status mentioned in President Lee's message is one of his presidential campaign pledges, and it refers to restoring operational control of the 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions, which had been held by the Army, back to the Marine Corps. The Ministry of National Defense is reviewing both the promotion of Marine Corps officers to the rank of general and the establishment of a Marine Corps Operations Command, along with the restoration of operational control to the Marine Corps.