On the morning of February 17, 2026, South Korea’s President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung marked the Lunar New Year by delivering a heartfelt video message to the nation. The three-minute and sixteen-second greeting, titled “Together, a More Special Everyone’s Lunar New Year,” was broadcast widely, capturing the attention and emotions of citizens across the country and beyond. Dressed in traditional hanbok and standing side by side, the presidential couple’s message was a blend of gratitude, hope, and a call for unity—a tone that resonated deeply with viewers at a time when the country, like much of the world, faces ongoing challenges and divisions.
President Lee began the video by reaffirming his commitment as “everyone’s president,” pledging to “embrace and serve all citizens” and to “walk steadily guided by the vision of the Korea desired by the people.” According to Electronic Times, he stated, “On the morning of the Byung-O Lunar New Year, I pledge as everyone’s president to embrace and serve all citizens. I will walk step by step, unwavering, guided by the vision of Korea that the people desire.”
Lee’s words were more than ceremonial. He acknowledged the very real differences that exist within Korean society—differences in perspective, background, and daily experience. “Since we all live in different places and circumstances, our views and thoughts about the world can be quite different,” he admitted. Yet, he was quick to point out what binds the country together: “But the hope that our children will grow up in a better environment is something we all share, no matter where or how we live.” This sentiment, reported by BNT News, struck a chord with many viewers who see their own dreams reflected in the president’s words.
Lee didn’t shy away from mentioning the social conflicts and disagreements that have marked recent years. Still, he stressed that the fundamental hopes of Koreans—health for family and neighbors, and the aspirations of both youth and elders—remain largely the same. “The wish for our families and neighbors to be healthy, and the hopes of the young and elderly, are not so different,” he said. “Just as we encouraged each other and overcame difficulties together last year, I hope our society will continue to advance in the new year on the foundation of warm solidarity and trust.”
Gratitude was another central theme of the message. President Lee thanked citizens for their efforts in helping the country recover “faster than expected.” He specifically acknowledged the sacrifices made by people “in the streets, homes, and workplaces” to protect the nation. “Thanks to the strength you all provided last year, everything is returning to its place faster than we had expected,” Lee remarked, as reported by Electronic Times. “To all citizens who have protected this country in the streets, at home, and at work, I offer my deepest thanks.”
First Lady Kim Hye-kyung’s words, though brief, were equally warm and inclusive. She wished “health and happiness for all families in 2026.” Her message, simple and sincere, was a reminder of the values that many Koreans hold dear during the Lunar New Year—a time traditionally reserved for family gatherings, reflection, and renewal. Together, the presidential couple bowed deeply and said, “Happy New Year,” a gesture of respect and humility that is central to Korean culture.
The video was not just a top-down message from the country’s leaders. It also featured New Year greetings from a diverse array of citizens—members of the Dokdo Guard, the Gyeongbuk 119 Air Unit, disabled national athletes, Winter Olympic short track national athletes, special forces in training, Korean residents living in Toronto, Canada, and everyday people from all corners of the country. This montage of voices and faces, young and old, urban and rural, was a deliberate effort to showcase the nation’s diversity and the shared hopes that unite its people.
According to BNT News, this inclusive approach was months in the making. In January 2026, President Lee had invited citizens to submit their own New Year greeting videos. “Sincere voices, warm looks wishing each other well, and bright expressions will together complete ‘everyone’s Lunar New Year,’” he said at the time. The response was enthusiastic, with submissions pouring in from all walks of life. The final video, as a result, felt less like a government broadcast and more like a national family album—one that celebrated both individuality and togetherness.
The symbolism of the presidential couple donning hanbok and bowing together also carried weight. In Korean tradition, the New Year bow is a sign of respect and a wish for good fortune. By performing this gesture on camera, Lee and Kim positioned themselves not just as political leaders, but as participants in the shared rituals of Korean society. It was a subtle but powerful reminder that, at least for one morning, the boundaries between government and citizen, leader and led, could be softened by a common celebration.
The inclusion of greetings from the Dokdo Guard and the Gyeongbuk 119 Air Unit had its own resonance. The Dokdo islets are a potent symbol of national pride and sovereignty, while the Gyeongbuk 119 Air Unit represents the frontline responders who protect and serve in times of crisis. By featuring these groups, the video underscored the themes of vigilance, unity, and collective responsibility that have been especially significant in recent years.
For many, the message was a welcome note of optimism and reassurance. After a year marked by both progress and persistent challenges—economic uncertainties, social divisions, and the ongoing need for national healing—the president’s call for “warm solidarity and trust” landed with particular force. It was a reminder that, even amid differences, there are shared values and dreams that can serve as the foundation for moving forward together.
The video also reflected a broader trend in South Korean politics: the use of digital media and personal storytelling to bridge gaps between leaders and citizens. By inviting public participation and weaving ordinary people’s greetings into the official message, the administration signaled a commitment to inclusivity and transparency. It’s a strategy that has gained traction in democracies worldwide, where leaders seek to connect with citizens in more direct and personal ways.
As the new lunar year unfolds, the message from President Lee and First Lady Kim stands as both a celebration and a challenge. Can the country maintain the spirit of unity and trust that the video so eloquently called for? Only time will tell. But for now, the greeting serves as a touchstone—a reminder of the hopes, large and small, that bind a nation together, and the simple power of wishing one another well at the dawn of a new year.