President Lee Jae-myung shook hands with actor Choi Soo-jong, who is regarded as a donation king in the entertainment industry.
On the 16th, according to political circles, the presidential office invited Choi Soo-jong to an event hosted for donation and sharing groups attended by the president and first lady Kim Hea-kyung. Choi attended as a Good Neighbors sharing ambassador.
Also present were officials from donation and sharing organizations such as the Salvation Army, Good Neighbors, the Korean National Tuberculosis Association, the Korean Red Cross, the Community Chest of Korea, and Save the Children, as well as sponsored children.
That day, the president and first lady shook hands with each participant one by one in turn. They also exchanged greetings with Choi Soo-jong with bright expressions.
When the president and Kim placed an envelope into the Good Neighbors donation box, cameras captured Choi Soo-jong beaming with a big smile.
At the time, the presidential couple tried to stage a photo of putting the envelope into the donation box, but they placed the envelope before the photo was taken, which set off the moment. Kim even gave the president a little "poke" in the side.
In his opening remarks that day, the president referenced the fairy tale "The Little Match Girl," saying, "The ending is truly cruel. I hope our world is not that cruel."
At the event, Choi Soo-jong said, "Sharing is not something grand, but small acts of love and attention," adding, "I sincerely convey my gratitude and respect for inviting all the organizations to offer encouragement despite the busy affairs of state."
Meanwhile, after the meeting between the president and Choi Soo-jong was made public, Choi's youthful appearance drew attention on online communities. Born Dec. 28, 1962, Choi is one year older than the president, who was born in 1963.