President Lee gets into an autumn mood, recites Yoon Dong-joo’s poem “Counting the Stars at Night” ... and revisits memories in North Gyeongsang

[Financial News] President Lee Jae Myung briefly shared his reflections on the past year of governing, invoking a line from Yoon Dong-joo’s poem as he shared news of autumn at Cheong Wa Dae. 
President Lee also made an unannounced visit to North Gyeongsang Province over the weekend, revisiting memories from his childhood. Amid various recent external attacks on Cheong Wa Dae, he appears to be seeking a place for personal respite.
On the 31st, President Lee shared news of autumn at Cheong Wa Dae on Instagram, quoting the line “The sky through which the seasons pass is filled with autumn” from Yoon Dong-joo’s poem “Counting the Stars at Night.”
Lee wrote, “Autumn is deepening at Cheong Wa Dae, too,” and added, “Looking at the trees, beautifully tinged with color, I feel that the chance to pause and experience the season, even amid a busy daily routine, is precious.”
He continued, “I hope this autumn will give all of you, who have worked hard in your respective roles throughout the year, a chance to enjoy even a brief respite,” adding, “I hope you’ll have time to look back on the past year, tell yourselves you’ve worked hard, and look forward to the days ahead.”
President Lee also visited North Gyeongsang Province that day, revisiting memories. In a post titled “Weekend Field Visit” on X (formerly Twitter), he said, “I came to North Gyeongsang Province to check on the implementation of basic income for rural and fishing communities.” The visit had not been announced in advance.
He also wrote part of the lyrics to “Song of the Gyeongbuk People,” introducing them as “some of the lyrics I still remember from the Gyeongbuk people’s song—the song I sang at the top of my lungs as a child, trudging along a newly paved road hand in hand with my friends.” He then greeted them, saying, “It’s good to see you, residents of Gyeongbuk, and residents of Yeongyang and Cheongsong counties.” Lee also posted on X a video of rivers and mountains in North Gyeongsang Province that appeared to have been filmed by him inside a moving vehicle.
Meanwhile, that day, President Lee openly rebutted criticism that his overseas trips were so frequent they could look like tourism.
Lee said, “The accompanying press corps, who experience these trips alongside the presidents, will know better about the overseas travel schedules and workloads of former and incumbent presidents, and the differences in the results of those trips.” He added, “A Buddha sees only Buddhas, and a pig sees only pigs; people can see only as much as they know, so I ask for your understanding.”
[email protected] Kim Kyung-soo Reporter