President Yoon Suk-yeol visited Tongyeong Central Market on the first day of his vacation in navy short-sleeved shirt for about an hour. Record-breaking heatwave prompts government agencies to inspect countermeasures. He stayed overnight at a military facility and encouraged officers and non-commissioned officers.
President Yoon Suk-yeol visited Tongyeong Central Market in Gyeongsangnam-do on the afternoon of the 5th, the first day of his vacation, to meet with citizens. President Yoon directly purchased squid and engaged in conversations with merchants. He also visited a store operated by football player Kim Min-jae’s uncle and exchanged high-fives.
On this day, President Yoon minimized the number of accompanying personnel and met with Tongyeong Central Market merchants for about an hour starting from 4:30 pm. According to Jeong Hye-jeon, the presidential spokesperson, President Yoon wore a navy blue short-sleeved Navy t-shirt with ‘KOREA NAVY’ written on the back.
Upon President Yoon’s arrival at the market, many merchants and citizens welcomed him by chanting “We love you” and his name. President Yoon expressed gratitude to the citizens for their cheers, asking how they were coping with the heat and wishing them well.
President Yoon’s visit to Tongyeong Market was the first in a year and five months since attending the 12th Fishermen’s Day ceremony in March last year.
Tongyeong Central Market is the largest seafood market on the southern coast, with over 300 shops in operation. Nearby attractions such as Dongpirang Mural Village known as the Montmartre hill in the Orient, Turtle Ship monument honoring Admiral Yi Sun-shin, and Gangguan Cultural Square attract an average of over 8,000 customers and tourists daily.
President Yoon toured dozens of shops, shaking hands and encouraging each merchant. Merchants thanked President Yoon for visiting on such a hot day. One merchant even cheered holding a flyer saying “Yoon Suk-yeol raised by the people,” and some merchants showed consideration by fanning the sweaty president from a distance.
President Yoon personally purchased various seafood and dried seafood products like squid, dried shrimp, and dried fish at Tongyeong Central Market. At a store run by Kim Min-jae’s uncle, he purchased squid sashimi and encouraged the football player to eat well.
President Yoon sat side by side with a merchant who has been selling half-dried fish for 50 years, discussing the types of half-dried fish and cooking methods. He encouraged them generously and bought Cheonnam Sambe net and Hyojason from another store, shaking hands and wishing them good health.
The spokesperson explained that President Yoon gladly fulfilled the request of market merchants who wanted photos with him and expressed his continuous gratitude for the warm welcome. He also took pictures with families and couples vacationing from various parts of the country, such as Daegu, Seoul, and Gwangju.
President Yoon will spend the day at a nearby military facility and the next day encourage military officers and non-commissioned officers.
Before departing for his vacation, President Yoon instructed relevant departments to review measures for vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, in the ongoing record-breaking heatwave, ensuring strict management to prevent heat-related illnesses. He also directed them to pay close attention to agricultural and fisheries supplies to prevent supply issues.
[Image source=Yonhap News, captions: President Yoon Suk-yeol on vacation visits Tongyeong Central Market in Gyeongsangnam-do and talks with merchants.]