President Yoon Breaks Formality... "Meetings Should Be Freestyle"

Receiving Questions from Reporters on the Way to Work... Unprecedented for a Sitting President

President Yoon Suk-yeol is arriving at the Yongsan Presidential Office Building in Seoul on the morning of the 11th. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Woo-seok] On the 11th, President Yoon Suk-yeol presided over the Chief Secretary Meeting at the Presidential Office and declared a break from formality by saying, "Let's have freestyle meetings when we meet."

At the meeting, President Yoon said, "It is inefficient for the president to hold meetings with aides according to formal procedures," and trailed off, saying, "'We will now begin the first Chief Secretary Meeting' is written (in the opening remarks), but this is not a legislative amendment or anything..."

He continued, "Let's just have the filming done by the full team today and keep it casual," emphasizing, "There will be no such (filming) from next time." Traditionally, in presidential meetings, there is an initial formal opening remark, after which reporters enter to cover and film the event. President Yoon declared that he would break this tradition.

President Yoon also called for informal communication and freedom in dress code. He said, "I will bring a few issues to discuss, but if there are timely issues, bring up the topics. Speak freely," and added, "Also, dress freely."

He further urged, "If you just sit quietly in your office, things will not run normally. You have to go around various places and communicate constantly, so that literally the soles of your shoes wear out," and requested, "Please come to my room anytime without formality."

On this day, President Yoon unusually took questions from reporters covering the Presidential Office on his way to work. Under the previous Blue House system, the president and reporters were separated, so except for official press conferences or internal invitation events, direct face-to-face meetings between the president and reporters were almost nonexistent.

In the case of the Yongsan Presidential Office building, the office and the press room are in the same building.

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