President Lee Jae-myung visits Seoul market, listens to merchants' concerns

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung made an unannounced visit to the Gil-dong Bokjori Market in Seoul, seeking to connect directly with citizens and gauge the economic sentiment on the ground. Accompanied by his wife, Kim Hye-kyung, the president toured the market, asking merchants about their sales and listening to their struggles with reduced consumption.

During their visit, the presidential couple actively supported the market by purchasing a variety of items, including chili peppers, fried snacks, seasoned burdock root, peanuts, and chestnuts. They also bought watermelon, apple mangoes, peaches, and sweet rice punch, demonstrating a commitment to boosting local commerce through direct spending.

Interactions with the public were a key part of the visit. The president and first lady posed for photos with shoppers, including a family who identified themselves as multicultural. They offered words of encouragement to a soon-to-be mother and received thanks from the family of a military veteran for the president's Memorial Day address.

President Lee also addressed concerns raised by citizens, promising to look into requests regarding pet-related policies. He later held a luncheon with market association officials and a local lawmaker to discuss issues such as traditional market facility improvements and parking problems, signaling a commitment to addressing the challenges faced by local businesses.