President Moon with shopping cart strap buys 299,000 won worth of ritual items at Inwang Market

First Lady Kim Jung-sook Uses Onnuri Gift Certificate, "The Market I Visited Before Entering Cheongwadae..." Despite an Unusual Chuseok, Hopes Citizens Keep Their Wallets Open

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] "Today, I visited a nearby traditional market with my wife. It is the market we used to visit before entering the Blue House."

On the 29th, President Moon Jae-in shared on social networking service (SNS) that he visited Inwang Market in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, with First Lady Kim Jung-sook. President Moon's visit to Inwang Market took place in the morning of the same day. The presidential couple also visited the fruit and vegetable market on the first floor of the Yujin Shopping Center near Inwang Market.

Kang Min-seok, the Blue House spokesperson, explained, "When President Moon was living at his home in Hong Eun-dong before his inauguration, he and the First Lady often visited this place," adding, "The purpose of visiting the traditional market was to encourage self-employed business owners who are struggling due to the resurgence of COVID-19."

The presidential couple toured every corner of the market and purchased goods worth 299,000 won. Regarding this, Spokesperson Kang said, "According to estimates by the Small Enterprise and Market Service, the cost of a traditional market Charye table for four people this Chuseok is 251,442 won," and explained, "The items purchased by the presidential couple included tangerines, Kyoho grapes, apples, chestnuts, green onions, shrimp, croaker fish, beef, carrots, spinach, rice cakes, garlic, radish, etc., which are actual offerings for the ancestral rites table."

After buying fruits at the fruit and vegetable market, First Lady Kim paid with Onnuri gift certificates. President Moon personally pushed the shopping cart and toured various parts of Inwang Market.

In his SNS post, President Moon said, "I was worried that even a private visit with minimal personnel and no press might cause inconvenience, but rather, many people encouraged the president to stay strong, for which I am grateful."

Content posted by President Moon Jae-in on SNS on the 29th

President Moon expressed regret over the current reality of reduced consumption following the COVID-19 pandemic. In his SNS post, he said, "Prices of apples, pears, and vegetables have risen significantly. This is due to damage from heavy rain and typhoons. I could feel the deep worries of farmers suffering from reduced harvests. Market merchants were also very concerned that customers are buying less because prices have gone up."

Spokesperson Kang said, "A merchant who met President Moon said, 'Thanks to the government's recommendation to refrain from traveling during the Chuseok holiday and to send gifts instead, the number of customers seems to have increased,'" adding, "The owner of a vegetable store said, 'Since the whole world is going through difficulties, we will overcome this well,' and the presidential couple expressed their gratitude."

Spokesperson Kang added, "Merchants and citizens everywhere shouted, 'Stay healthy,' 'We love you,' and 'Thank you for coming,' while filming President Moon pushing the cart."

In his SNS post, President Moon emphasized, "Although this Chuseok is unlike previous years, I hope the people will not close their wallets. I wish that consumption will not shrink for the sake of the struggling farmers, fishermen, merchants, and self-employed business owners."

President Moon acknowledged the decreasing trend in COVID-19 cases but stated it is too early to be complacent. In his SNS post, he said, "The number of COVID-19 cases has dropped significantly, with the newly confirmed domestic infections announced today falling to 23. For now, it has returned to the level before August 15," adding, "The situation is gradually stabilizing, and especially with the Chuseok holiday approaching, the daily number of confirmed cases has decreased greatly, which is very fortunate. I thank the people for their cooperation."

Through his SNS post, President Moon added, "Still, it is too early to be relieved. We must get through this Chuseok holiday well to ease our worries. If we get through this holiday well, the economy, which had temporarily stalled, will regain strength. I hope this Chuseok will be a new beginning while protecting both quarantine and the economy."

Meanwhile, after shopping at Inwang Market, the presidential couple had lunch of cold noodles at a restaurant they used to frequent. Spokesperson Kang said, "When merchants and customers requested commemorative photos at the market, President Moon gladly agreed," and added, "This visit to Inwang Market was conducted with a limited number of personnel, including the First Secretary and Protocol Secretary, following President Moon's instructions to minimize the number of attendees."

President Moon plans to stay at the Blue House residence during the Chuseok holiday period, urging the public to refrain from traveling.

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