President Lee Jae-myung and first lady Kim Hye-kyung walk toward Air Force One at Seoul Airport in Seongnam on the 24th before departing on a tour of the United States and South America. Yonhap News
President Lee Jae-myung has decided to forgo his summer vacation this year. He has, however, encouraged his aides and cabinet members to take time off, according to sources.
“The president has decided to give up his summer vacation and instead focus on ‘sales diplomacy,'” a presidential office official said on the 24th. On the same day, Lee departed on an 11-day, seven-night trip to San Francisco, South America, and Germany.
The president’s summer vacation is typically scheduled for late July or early August. This year, with a real estate policy debate, overseas trips, and ministry work reports lined up during this period, Lee decided to devote himself to work rather than take a break to contemplate state affairs, the presidential office explained.
Before departing on the trip, Lee reportedly urged his presidential aides and cabinet members to “all take your vacations.” Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik conveyed Lee’s message to cabinet members on the 24th: “As the president always emphasizes, state administration must be sustainable, so please take your vacation. Only then can staff members also rest.”
Kang added, however, “Even while on vacation, please thoroughly check the reporting and response systems in preparation for emergency situations.”