Yoon Holds Luncheon with ROK Armed Forces Soldiers for Chuseok... "You Are Korea's Valuable Talent"

Presidential Office: "Yoon's Intention to Be with Those Who Cannot Spend Holidays with Their Families"

President Yoon Suk-yeol has a surprise video call with soldiers' parents [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] On Chuseok day, the 10th, President Yoon Seok-yeol visited a military unit and had lunch with the soldiers to encourage their hard work.

On that day, President Yoon visited the Air Defense Company under the Capital Defense Command and shared lunch with the soldiers, the Blue House announced. The Blue House explained, "This was in accordance with President Yoon’s intention to encourage the soldiers who dedicate themselves to the safety of the nation and its people even during the Chuseok holiday, and to spend this holiday together with those who cannot be with their families."

President Yoon first encouraged the soldiers’ efforts, saying, "I am very pleased and grateful to see all of you who are dedicating yourselves to protecting the skies over Seoul, the capital, without being able to visit your parents during the holiday."

He also expressed deep gratitude for the sacrifices and dedication of the military personnel in recent disaster relief efforts, including flood and typhoon damage recovery. During lunch, President Yoon made video calls with the parents of five soldiers. To the parents who must have been worried about their sons, he said, "Your son is serving very well, so please rest assured. We will take special care to ensure they can return to you in good health," and added, "We will spare no effort to provide various supports so that our soldiers can have a rewarding military life in better conditions than before."

The soldiers’ parents, surprised by the unexpected video call from the president, expressed their gratitude, saying, "I have not yet visited the unit where my son serves, so I am thankful that the president came to visit first," and "It is reassuring that the president is taking special care."

President Yoon listened to the stories of each soldier, including Sergeant A, who was born in Italy and worked as a chef there before enlisting at the late age of thirty, and Private B, whose hometown is Jeju Island. He encouraged them, saying, "People who grew up in completely different environments forming one team and serving together will have this time as a precious asset that cannot be measured in money when they enter society."

He continued, "You are the most valuable talents of the Republic of Korea, and your success is the country’s success," and said, "Thanks to you soldiers, I can carry out national affairs with peace of mind, and I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep gratitude."

President Yoon also urged, "To complete this valuable experience well and return to your parents in good health, please ensure that no small accidents occur in anything, and that all members of the unit, including officers, remain vigilant and cautious."

About 40 people, including the battalion commander of the unit, officers, and soldiers, attended the lunch. From the Blue House, National Security Office Director Kim Sung-han, Deputy Director Im Jong-deuk, and Defense Secretary Im Ki-hoon were present.

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