On the morning of February 17, 2026, South Korea ushered in the Lunar New Year with a blend of tradition and hope, as President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung appeared before the nation in a heartfelt video greeting. Dressed in traditional hanbok, the presidential couple’s message was more than a seasonal ritual—it was a call for unity, gratitude, and collective progress in the year ahead.
According to YTN, this marked President Lee’s first Lunar New Year message since taking office, a moment that carried extra significance for both the leader and the people. The president began by checking in on citizens, asking, “Are you enjoying a joyful time with your family during the holiday?” His tone was warm and familiar, reflecting the cultural emphasis on family and togetherness that defines the holiday.
President Lee wasted no time in acknowledging the hardships of the past year, yet he struck an optimistic note. “Thanks to the people’s efforts, everything has returned to normal faster than expected over the past year,” he said, expressing deep gratitude for the resilience and unity shown by citizens in streets, homes, and workplaces. “I deeply thank all sovereign citizens who have protected this country,” Lee stated, according to Today Newspaper.
But the message wasn’t just about looking back. Lee used the occasion to address the nation’s challenges head-on, emphasizing the need for social harmony and the healing of divisions. “Because we live in different places, our views and thoughts about the world can differ,” he acknowledged. Yet, he quickly pointed to the universal desires that bind the country together: “The wish for our children to grow up in a better environment, and for the health of family and neighbors, is something we all share.”
Throughout his speech, Lee returned to the idea of solidarity—a theme he has championed since taking office. “Just as we encouraged each other and overcame difficulties last year, I hope our society will continue to move forward together on the foundation of warm solidarity and trust in the new year,” he said, as reported by Ajunews. He pledged, “As the president who embraces and serves all citizens, I will steadily move forward, step by step, guided by the people's vision for South Korea.”
First Lady Kim Hye-kyung joined her husband in the video, extending her own wishes to the nation. “I wish health and happiness to all your households this year,” she said, her words echoing the sentiments of millions celebrating the holiday. The video also showcased greetings from a cross-section of the country—Winter Olympic national athletes, the Dokdo guards, and other citizens—each offering their own wishes for a prosperous year. “Happy New Year! Fighting, Republic of Korea!” cheered the Dokdo guards, while the national athletes sent their own festive greetings.
The presidential message was not just ceremonial—it set the tone for the administration’s agenda in the coming months. While President Lee kept his public schedule clear during the holiday itself, YTN noted that he plans to accelerate efforts on real estate policy, responses to U.S. tariff pressures, and preparations for upcoming local elections once the festivities conclude. It’s a reminder that, while the Lunar New Year is a time for pause and reflection, the machinery of governance never truly stops.
But the spirit of the New Year wasn’t confined to the Blue House. Across the country, public figures and celebrities reached out to their communities with messages of encouragement and hope. The music group ILLIT (아일릿), for instance, took to social media to connect with their fans—known as GLLIT—marking their third Lunar New Year together. “Time really flies,” the group reflected, “and thanks to your constant support, we’ve been able to grow year by year.” Their message was one of gratitude and reassurance: “We’ll continue to do our best to show you an even better side of us.”
ILLIT also encouraged their fans to take a well-deserved break from the hustle and bustle of daily life. “We hope you spend a warm and comfortable time with your family and loved ones during the Lunar New Year,” they said. “We wish you all lots of health and happiness.” For many, these words resonated deeply, capturing the essence of the holiday—a pause, however brief, to cherish connections and recharge for the challenges ahead.
The group’s message came with a major announcement: their first tour, ‘ILLIT LIVE PRESS START,’ set to kick off on March 14 and 15 at the Ticketlink Live Arena in Seoul. From there, the tour will travel to six other cities—Aichi, Osaka, Fukuoka, Hyogo, Tokyo, and Hong Kong—bringing their music to fans across Asia. It’s a testament to the global reach of Korean pop culture, and a sign that, even as the country reflects on tradition, it continues to look outward and forward.
For South Koreans, the Lunar New Year is more than a date on the calendar. It’s a moment to reconnect with family, honor ancestors, and set intentions for the year to come. This year, those rituals were imbued with a sense of cautious optimism—an awareness of the difficulties overcome, and a hope that the coming months will bring more stability and progress.
President Lee’s message, broadcast to millions, captured this mood perfectly. He did not shy away from the fact that differences exist within society, but he insisted that “the desire for a better future for our children and the health of our families is shared by all.” In a time marked by global uncertainty and domestic challenges, these words offered comfort, direction, and a gentle reminder that, for all their differences, South Koreans are in this together.
As the holiday drew to a close, the nation prepared to return to the routines of work and school. But the echoes of the New Year’s greetings—from the president, from beloved celebrities, and from ordinary citizens—lingered in the air, a collective wish for health, happiness, and, above all, unity in the year ahead.