President Moon has Gomtang Lunch with Aides at a Restaurant Near the Blue House

President Moon: "Small Business Owners and Self-Employed Are Facing Difficulties, Please Try to Use Nearby Restaurants"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] On the 1st, President Moon Jae-in had lunch with his aides at a beef soup restaurant near Cheongwadae in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul.

At the lunch, key aides including No Young-min, Chief of the Presidential Secretariat; Chung Eui-yong, Director of the National Security Office; Kang Ki-jung, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs; Kim Yeon-myeong, Senior Secretary for Social Affairs; Kim Jo-won, Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs; Yoon Do-han, Senior Secretary for Public Communication; Lee Ho-seung, Senior Secretary for Economic Affairs; and Kim Oe-sook, Senior Secretary for Personnel participated. This was the first time in a year since May 10 last year that President Moon dined at a restaurant near Cheongwadae.

Chief Presidential Secretary Kang Min-seok conveyed regarding the background of the lunch that President Moon said, "Since small business owners and self-employed people are in a difficult situation, he encouraged using nearby restaurants as much as possible."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Moon said, "We took measures not to operate the Cheongwadae cafeteria on Fridays, but due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), it was difficult to actively use it," adding, "Since domestic confirmed cases are 'zero,' I hope that now, while maintaining social distancing, restaurant use will become more active."

Chief Secretary Kang said, "In the situation of the short holiday, President Moon dined outside to show that while thoroughly observing quarantine measures and maintaining distance, dining out is still possible."

Meanwhile, President Moon walked from Cheongwadae to the restaurant. A key Cheongwadae official explained, "It seems President Moon wanted to see the expressions and atmosphere of the citizens."

President Moon had planned to take annual leave during the holiday and go down to his private residence in Yangsan, Gyeongnam, but canceled his vacation due to a fire at a logistics warehouse construction site in Icheon, Gyeonggi-do on the 29th of last month.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.