President Yoon Reveals Lunar New Year Gifts... Includes 'Traditional Liquor' for the First Time

Selection of Gongju Baekilju... Presidential Office "Revitalizing Traditional Liquor Industry"
Introducing Sorokdo Patient Artworks in Gift Boxes

On the 31st, the Presidential Office revealed President Yoon Seok-yeol's Gapjin Year Lunar New Year gift. Since his inauguration in May 2022, President Yoon has been giving gifts to various senior figures, uniformed heroes and their families, and socially disadvantaged groups during Lunar New Year and Chuseok, and for the first time since his inauguration, he included the traditional liquor 'Baekilju (Gongju)'.

The Presidential Office announced that to celebrate the Gapjin Year, President Yoon plans to deliver traditional liquor holiday gifts and handwritten message cards from the President to various figures. This year, in hopes of spreading a warm culture of love and care for neighbors, gifts will also be given to recipients recognized for their dedication to sharing and social contribution.

Known as a connoisseur of alcohol, President Yoon’s first sip gift is Baekilju for ancestral rites made in Gongju, Chungnam, the hometown of his late father, the late Professor Yoon Ki-jung, Honorary Professor at Yonsei University. Commonly called Gyeryong Baekilju, it was designated as an intangible cultural asset of Chungnam Province in December 1989.

Baekilju is a home-brewed liquor made by first fermenting the base mash and then adding a secondary fermentation to create a mild taste. It takes one hundred days to mature, hence the name Baekilju, meaning "hundred days liquor." In addition to the main ingredient glutinous rice, it includes additives such as pine needles, chrysanthemum, safflower, azalea flowers, and omija berries.

This liquor was originally brewed only in the royal court, but during the Joseon Dynasty, King Injo honored Yeonpyeong Buwongun Yi Gui, a key figure in the coup, by granting the brewing technique to the Yeonan Yi family. His wife, Lady Indong Jang, passed down the royal brewing secret. In February 2005, it was selected as the banquet liquor for the inter-Korean summit.

The Presidential Office revealed President Yoon Seok-yeol's New Year's gifts for the Year of the Rabbit on the 31st. The gifts included Baekilju for ancestral rites (Gongju), yuja syrup (Goheung), pine nuts (Gapyeong), and beef jerky (Hoengseong). Photo by the Presidential Office

It is uncommon for a president to include traditional liquor in Lunar New Year and Chuseok gifts. Former President Roh Moo-hyun included Hansan Sogokju, Gimpo Munbaeju, Gayagok Wangju, and Songhwa Baekilju; former President Lee Myung-bak included Jeonju Igangju; and former President Moon Jae-in included Pyeongchang potato liquor and Damyang bamboo leaf liquor.

The Presidential Office explained that the reason for including liquor in this year’s Lunar New Year gifts is "to revitalize the traditional liquor industry."

Additionally, to promote the consumption of local specialties, the gifts include citron syrup (Goheung), pine nuts (Gapyeong), and beef jerky (Hoengseong). For the Buddhist community and others, acacia honey (Nonsan), citron syrup, pine nuts, and dried shiitake mushrooms (Yangyang) were prepared.

To reduce packaging waste, the gifts were packaged with minimal plastic and used recyclable packaging materials and protective materials to simplify the packaging.

Moreover, the gift boxes introduce artworks by inpatients of the National Sorokdo Hospital, conveying society’s support and overcoming prejudice against people with Hansen’s disease.

Although the artists have never received formal art education, they have communicated with the world through their artworks depicting the landscapes and daily life of Sorokdo.

The Lunar New Year message cards delivered with the gifts were produced based on the President’s own handwritten calligraphy, with each character written sincerely.

Through the message card, the President conveyed Lunar New Year greetings, saying, "The new year of the Blue Dragon in the Gapjin Year has dawned. I will look after each and every citizen more warmly," and "We will lay the cornerstone for a greater future. Happy New Year."

On the 31st, the Presidential Office unveiled President Yoon Seok-yeol's Lunar New Year gift for the Year of the Black Dragon. The gift box featured artworks created by inpatients of the National Sorokdo Hospital, conveying a message of overcoming societal prejudice against people affected by Hansen's disease and supporting them. Photo by the Presidential Office

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