President Lee Visits Ikseon-dong, Engages with Citizens

President Lee Jae-myung visited the Ikseon-dong Hanok Street and Galmaegi Alley in Seoul on May 21, following a trip to the nearby Dongui-dong goshiwon (a type of low-cost housing).

Chief Presidential Spokesperson Kang Yu-jeong stated in a written briefing that President Lee greeted citizens in the Ikseon-dong area.

As he walked through the narrow alleys, President Lee shook hands with citizens and posed for photos. People inside and outside the shops waved at him and expressed their excitement.

Upon entering Ikseon-dong, many citizens and foreign tourists showed surprise and delight at the president's presence.

Walking through the alley lined with restaurants and shops, President Lee greeted each citizen he encountered, responding to those waving from inside the stores.

When surprised citizens rushed out of shops to request photos, Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik helped take pictures of the president with them.

As President Lee passed by, citizens pulled out their phones to capture the moment, cheering his name as applause erupted throughout the street.

Citizens shouted phrases like, "This is amazing!", "I think something good is going to happen!", "I'm a fan!", "Thank you!", and "We love you!" as they welcomed the president.

One citizen dining on pork belly at a traditional restaurant remarked, "I’m buying meat with the living support fund," to which President Lee responded with a bright smile.

After dinner, President Lee visited a nearby coffee shop, where he ordered a warm Americano from a kiosk and asked, "That coffee isn’t from there, right?"

The phrase "that coffee" is interpreted as a reference to Starbucks Korea, which has faced backlash for its recent 'Tank Day' marketing campaign on May 18, coinciding with the anniversary of the Gwangju Uprising.

Earlier, during a meeting with senior presidential aides, President Lee stated, "We must mobilize all available means to punish those who spread malicious fake news about North Korean military involvement in the Gwangju incident and glorify state violence or insult the victims."

Spokesperson Kang reported that while waiting for his drink, President Lee took more photos and greeted citizens who had gathered around him before leaving the scene.