Markets, bunkers and basketball: How President Yoon spent his vacation

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Markets, bunkers and basketball: How President Yoon spent his vacation

Published: 11 Aug. 2024, 16:44 Updated: 11 Aug. 2024, 19:25

SARAH KIM
kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr

President Yoon Suk Yeol, right, gives words of encouragement to service members as he visits the Gyeryongdae military headquarters in South Chungcheong Friday. [PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE]

President Yoon Suk Yeol wrapped a summer vacation that included visits to traditional markets and military facilities, focusing his attention on people's livelihoods and security over the past week.

On Friday, Yoon visited the Gyeryongdae military headquarters in South Chungcheong, an opportunity to inspect the country's security posture and the preparations being made for upcoming joint military drills between South Korea and the United States, the presidential office said.

During the visit, Yoon received a briefing on the preparations for the Ulchi Freedom Shield, a major annual combined military exercise with the United States scheduled to take place later this month, presidential spokesperson Jeong Hye-jeon said in a statement.

"Security is linked to the economy, and economic prosperity ensures freedom," Yoon was quoted as saying by Jeong.

Jeong continued Yoon's words: "Only a strong security posture can defend our freedom and prosperity."

Yoon noted that North Korea has planned a nuclear preemptive strike and is targeting South Korea through launching GPS attacks and sending trash-laden balloons, ordering the military officials in attendance to prepare a robust readiness posture.

He highlighted that Seoul faces an "irrational threat" from Pyongyang, adding "we cannot safeguard peace by relying on the goodwill of the enemy."

Yoon met with the top commanders of the Army, Air Force and Navy at a wartime command bunker and also shook hands with the soldiers on duty.

"Spending vacation with the military is a real vacation for me," Yoon said.

On Thursday night, he had dinner with commanders and other service members, including the Air Force F-35A and F-15K pilots and Special Operations Forces officers.

It marks his third visit to the Gyeryongdae military headquarters since taking office in May 2022.

President Yoon Suk Yeol, left, chats with a fish merchant in Tongyeong Jungang Market in Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang, on Monday, the first day of his five-day summer vacation. [PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE]

Yoon began his five-day summer vacation on Monday, the third one he's taken since he took office in 2022.

On Monday, Yoon visited a traditional market in Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang, visiting vendors and speaking with local merchants as part of his efforts to encourage economic recovery.

Over Tuesday and Wednesday, Yoon visited the Jinhae naval base in Changwon, South Gyeongsang.

President Yoon Suk Yeol, center, makes a shot during a basketball game with service members at a gym inside a naval base in Changwon, South Gyeongsang, Wednesday. [PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE]

President Yoon Suk Yeol, right, greets Naval officers and Marines during a visit to the Jinhae naval base in Changwon, South Gyeongsang, Wednesday. [PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE]

On Tuesday night, Yoon had dinner with service members, including those who had served during the sinking of a South Korean warship by a North Korean submarine in March 2010 and the bombardment of Yeonpyeong Island in the Yellow Sea in November 2010.

Yoon spent time playing basketball with a group of Navy and Marine personnel on Wednesday.

Separately, first lady Kim Keon Hee, who has faced controversy over receiving a luxury handbag from a pastor, was spotted taking separate unofficial visits to traditional markets in Busan and South Jeolla during Yoon's vacation. She also visited Huinnyeoul Culture Village, Gamcheon Culture Village and the Busan Modern and Contemporary History Museum in Busan on Wednesday and was spotted chatting with locals.

First lady Kim Keon Hee, left, purchases local produce from a traditional market in Suncheon, South Jeolla, on Wednesday, in a photo provided by the presidential office on Thursday. [PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE]

As he returns to work, Yoon has a list of pressing tasks to address, including whether to veto several contentious bills. These include those dealing with broadcasters and labor, being pushed by a Democratic Party controlled National Assembly. He will also have to give final approval of the special pardons of political figures ahead of Liberation Day, which falls on Aug. 15.

Yoon's Liberation Day address on Thursday will further be an important opportunity for the president to send a message to the public on North Korean issues, Seoul-Tokyo relations and the direction of state affairs.

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]