President Yoon Suk Yeol makes rolled omelets for reporters during a dinner with the press corps covering the presidential office at a lawn next to his office in central Seoul's Yongsan District, Friday. Courtesy of presidential office

President Yoon Suk Yeol cooked “kimchi jjigae” or kimchi stew for reporters covering the presidential office, Friday, promising to improve his communications with the press and the general public.

Yoon hosted a dinner for more than 200 reporters as well as photo and video journalists at the lawn next to his office. Wearing an apron, Yoon cooked kimchi stew and rolled omelets as well as grilling chicken and pork. Senior secretaries also joined Yoon.

President Yoon Suk Yeol distributes kimchi stew for a reporter during a dinner with the press corps covering the presidential office at a lawn next to his office in central Seoul's Yongsan District, Friday. Courtesy of presidential office

Cooking kimchi stew for reporters was one of Yoon's jokes for reporters when he was a presidential candidate in March 2022, as he promised to work closely with the press, close enough so that journalists could have conversations with the president over one of the most common and popular dishes in Korea.

During the dinner, Yoon expressed that he should have held such an event earlier, promising to spend more time engaging with reporters.

“As someone said during the dinner, politicians do find it uncomfortable to be around journalists sometimes,” Yoon said.

“Without the press, however, politicians cannot reach their position. They get criticized by the press sometimes, but all of them made it into their current position because of the press. While spending more time with the press for official occasions, I will listen carefully to any advice and criticisms you give.”

The last time Yoon had a dinner with the press corps covering his office was May 2, 2023, on the occasion of the opening of a children's park next to the presidential office.

President Yoon Suk Yeol and his chief of staff Chung Jin-suk grill pork during a dinner with the press corps covering the presidential office at a lawn next to his office in central Seoul's Yongsan District, Friday. Courtesy of presidential office