South Korean president pays instantly after First Lady asks item price at market
South Korean president Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung drew attention during a surprise visit to Suwon's Paldalmun Market.
A video showing South Korean President Lee Jae-myung instinctively pulling out his wallet as First Lady Kim Hye-kyung enquired about an item's price has delighted viewers around the world.
Their visit to a traditional market in Suwon has given social media one of its most wholesome political moments in recent days.
The now-viral clip was filmed during the couple's surprise visit to Paldalmun Market in Suwon on June 25. According to the Seoul Economic Daily, the presidential couple spent time walking through the bustling market, interacting with vendors and purchasing a variety of local snacks while greeting residents along the way.
The moment that caught everyone's attention lasted only a few seconds. As First Lady Kim Hye-kyung paused at one of the roadside stalls and casually asked the shopkeeper about the price of an item, President Lee Jae-myung had already begun taking out his wallet, ready to pay before the conversation had even ended.
The exchange, though brief, struck a chord online, with many describing it as an endearing glimpse into the couple's everyday dynamic. Others praised the President for supporting a small local business instead of treating the visit as a purely ceremonial appearance.
Watch the video:
According to reports, the couple sampled and bought several local delicacies, including buckwheat chips, puffed rice, dried baby octopus, dried squid, twisted bread sticks, doughnuts, peanut snacks, and chestnut bread. They were also seen offering some of the snacks to residents they met while walking through the historic marketplace.
Located near the iconic Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, Paldalmun Market is one of Suwon's best-known traditional markets and has long been a hub for local vendors and shoppers.
The video has since spread widely across social media, where viewers called the interaction refreshingly genuine. Many said it was the President's instinctive reaction, reaching for his wallet the moment his wife showed interest in buying something, that made the clip so relatable, turning an ordinary shopping stop into a heartwarming moment that resonated far beyond South Korea.
A video showing South Korean President Lee Jae-myung instinctively pulling out his wallet as First Lady Kim Hye-kyung enquired about an item's price has delighted viewers around the world.
Their visit to a traditional market in Suwon has given social media one of its most wholesome political moments in recent days.
The now-viral clip was filmed during the couple's surprise visit to Paldalmun Market in Suwon on June 25. According to the Seoul Economic Daily, the presidential couple spent time walking through the bustling market, interacting with vendors and purchasing a variety of local snacks while greeting residents along the way.
The moment that caught everyone's attention lasted only a few seconds. As First Lady Kim Hye-kyung paused at one of the roadside stalls and casually asked the shopkeeper about the price of an item, President Lee Jae-myung had already begun taking out his wallet, ready to pay before the conversation had even ended.
The exchange, though brief, struck a chord online, with many describing it as an endearing glimpse into the couple's everyday dynamic. Others praised the President for supporting a small local business instead of treating the visit as a purely ceremonial appearance.
Watch the video:
According to reports, the couple sampled and bought several local delicacies, including buckwheat chips, puffed rice, dried baby octopus, dried squid, twisted bread sticks, doughnuts, peanut snacks, and chestnut bread. They were also seen offering some of the snacks to residents they met while walking through the historic marketplace.
Located near the iconic Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, Paldalmun Market is one of Suwon's best-known traditional markets and has long been a hub for local vendors and shoppers.
The video has since spread widely across social media, where viewers called the interaction refreshingly genuine. Many said it was the President's instinctive reaction, reaching for his wallet the moment his wife showed interest in buying something, that made the clip so relatable, turning an ordinary shopping stop into a heartwarming moment that resonated far beyond South Korea.
