President Lee Jae-myung visited Haein Church in Incheon on Dec. 25, Christmas Day, and said, "I am grateful to share Christmas greetings in this place that embodies the very image of a church, just as Jesus came to the lowest place."
According to the presidential office, President Lee and first lady Kim Hea-kyung attended the Christmas service at Haein Church in Gyeyang District, Incheon, that day. Haein Church began in 1986 as a people's church founded with pooled funds from workers. It was the constituency of President Lee when he served as a lawmaker for the Democratic Party of Korea. The church currently operates various community programs, including a shelter for people experiencing homelessness. Many congregants are from marginalized groups, including people experiencing homelessness and victims of domestic violence.
President Lee and the first lady first exchanged greetings and had a friendly conversation with pastors Lee Jun-mo and Kim Young-seon. The pastoral couple said, "Like baby Jesus who came to a lowly and humble place, we believe you can be a president who embraces the difficult corners of our society." After the conversation, President Lee attended the Christmas service with about 130 congregants.
They then had a lunch of bibimbap with the congregants in the church cafeteria. President Lee stood in line with the congregants and received self-service portions, and he also spoke with congregants, took photos, and offered encouragement. After lunch, President Lee visited the Notre Dame Convent in Gyeyang District near Haein Church. Since its founding, the convent has operated a welfare center and educational facilities for people with disabilities, helping marginalized individuals with rehabilitation and independence.
The presidential office said the schedule was arranged "to reflect on the original meaning of Christmas, deliver a message of comfort and hope to all people beyond religion, and revisit the value of social integration."
Kim Nam-joon, Spokesperson for the presidential office, accompanied the president and first lady for their Christmas schedule that day. Kim, a closest aide who has assisted President Lee since Lee served as Seongnam mayor, is being mentioned as a potential candidate for Gyeyang District, Incheon, in a by-election to be held alongside the June 3 local elections next year. The district was represented by President Lee as a lawmaker from 2022, but the seat has been vacant since he ran in this presidential election.