‘Seaweed’, ‘Beef Jerky’, ‘Liquor’, ‘Cosmetics’… Delving into Presidents' Unique Holiday Gifts
Former President Yoon Seok-yeol Wraps Gifts with Leprosy Patients' Artwork
Presidential gifts presented to various groups during holidays are more than mere tokens. They often encapsulate the national philosophy and social messages of their time, drawing public interest. From local specialties to household goods and occasionally unexpected items, the holiday gifts of former presidents are imbued with diverse stories of their era. For instance, former President Moon Jae-in preferred designs featuring a sunrise over Dokdo, while former President Roh Moo-hyun sent traditional liquors nine out of ten times during his term.
Presidential Holiday Gifts Reflecting the Times
President Lee Jae-myung's Message of Unity and Harmony
In the 2026 New Year, President Lee Jae-myung sent gifts containing a set of bowls and spoons, along with home-cooked meal ingredients, expressing wishes for national unity and recovery to daily life. The package included rice, grains, rice cake soup, seaweed, mushroom slices, and traditional soy sauce from the '5 Regions and 3 Special Districts', aiming to evoke community spirit through a warm meal. In 2025’s Chuseok, he emphasized regional symbiosis by gifting presidential watches, seafood from 8 provinces, and our own rice.
Gifts Amidst Controversy by Former President Yoon Seok-yeol
For the 2024 New Year, former President Yoon Seok-yeol offered gifts including traditional liquor, pine nuts, citron tea, and beef jerky, featuring regional specialties. The inclusion of leprosy patients' artwork from Sorokdo National Hospital on the packaging added a warm touch, but its depictions of crosses, churches, and rosaries triggered criticism of religious bias from Buddhist communities, stirring controversy. In the 2023 New Year, sending gifts to certain hardline conservative YouTubers sparked another dispute.
Symbolic Gifts of Former Presidents Moon Jae-in and Park Geun-hye
Former President Moon Jae-in preferred conveying messages through diverse designs on gift boxes. The Dokdo depiction on his 2022 New Year gift packaging led to diplomatic issues when former Japanese Ambassador Koichi Aiboshi returned it. Park Geun-hye's choice of cosmetics as a New Year gift in 2016 became a problem when it was revealed the cosmetics were developed by a plastic surgeon linked to the national corruption scandal involving Choi Seo-won (previously Choi Soon-sil). This highlights how cosmetics, as holiday gifts, can serve as a medium for national leadership messages and a focus for public evaluation, tied to the significance and background of specific products. This makes cosmetics an unusual yet potent choice for holiday gifts.
The Diverse Legacies of Past Presidents
From Practicality to Traditional Culture
Former President Lee Myung-bak highlighted practicality with gifts of yellowtail and anchovy sets for the 2008 Chuseok. Former President Roh Moo-hyun showcased a deep affection for traditional culture by giving traditional liquors nine out of ten holidays during his term. Presidents Kim Young-sam and Kim Dae-jung shared specialties from their hometowns, conveying regional flavor and personal meaning. Former President Roh Tae-woo conveyed his sentiments through monetary gifts, while Chun Doo-hwan and Park Chung-hee chose ginseng to deliver traditional wishes for health and well-being. These choices reflect the governing philosophy and personal backgrounds of past presidents in selecting their holiday gifts.
Medium for Communication and Message
Each gift embodies the direction of governance at the time, the messages intended for the public, and occasionally the political context. Beyond mere items, these gifts represent a political act and cultural expression, aiming to engage with the people. The types of gifts and their meticulous packaging and recipients are thoroughly considered, becoming a topic of interest and varied interpretations among the public. The meanings and stories associated with each gift offer intriguing insights into the character of the president, forging a special link between the president and the people.
In Conclusion
The holiday gifts of presidents carry complex meanings beyond mere gifts. They subtly reveal the tone of governance, convey messages of national unity, and sometimes trigger unintended controversy. These gifts are pivotal communication channels for reflecting the times and attempting engagement with the public, taking their place in historical records.
Thus, cosmetics can emerge as pivotal mediums embedding messages of the times. Under , we aim to provide diverse stories and reliable information within the beauty industry, assisting in making wise choices practically.
