Seoul, South Korea - President Yoon Suk Yeol participated in a Christmas service at Chungdong First Methodist Church in Seoul, pledging to make the nation a "good gift" to its people. The presidential office reported that President Yoon attended the service for about an hour on Monday morning. Following the service, in response to a message from a church member, Yoon committed to efforts toward improving the country.
According to Yonhap News Agency, The Chungdong First Methodist Church, known as the first protestant church in South Korea, was established by U.S. missionary Henry Gerhard Appenzeller in 1885. President Yoon's attendance at this church follows his visit last year to a church in northern Seoul, where he spent his childhood. In addition to the Christmas service, President Yoon expressed his condolences for the victims of a recent fire at an apartment building in Seoul's Dobong district, which resulted in two deaths and 29 injuries. On his Facebook page, Yoon emphasized the state's responsibility in ensuring public safety and called for government officials to prioritize the protection of citizens' lives.