President Lee joins autumn sports day at Iksan primary school, hands phone to pupils
In short
President Lee Jae-myung attended the autumn sports day at Wanggung Elementary School in Iksan, North Jeolla, on 22 October. He took part in games and, when pupils asked him to follow them back on Instagram, handed them his phone. Democratic Party floor leader Han Byung-do accompanied him.
Read the full story 2 min read
President Lee Jae-myung attended the autumn sports day at Wanggung Elementary School in Iksan, North Jeolla, on 22 October. Dong-A Ilbo said he appeared at about 10:46 with Democratic Party floor leader Han Byung-do. Seoul Shinmun described it as a surprise visit. Asia Economy and Kukmin Ilbo said about 70 pupils and kindergarten children took part, alongside parents, staff and local residents. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Newsis said the school marked its 100th anniversary last year and is in Han's constituency. Asia Economy said Han represents Iksan. [ 2 , 4 ]
In his greeting, Lee said that when he said he wanted to visit a primary school sports day, he was told none was being held, and that he searched until he arrived at this school. He asked pupils to take care not to fall and get hurt. Newsis and Kukmin Ilbo said he also wished parents and teachers a happy autumn day with the children. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
Lee took off his suit jacket and put on a white jacket. Dong-A Ilbo and Kukmin Ilbo said he joined the Wang-i team in a game of moving a rubber ball across a long cloth, laughed when a ball hit his head, and said "Oh, this is a failure" when it fell out. He then played for the Gung-i team in a game of putting ball-pit balls into a basket. Kukmin Ilbo and Asia Economy said Han played on the opposing side. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
While watching the games, pupils asked Lee to follow them back on Instagram, and he took out his phone and handed it over. Dong-A Ilbo and Kukmin Ilbo said pupils followed accounts on it and some said they were deeply moved. As requests continued, Lee said he would do it if they cheered hard, according to Dong-A Ilbo, Asia Economy and Kukmin Ilbo. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
Dong-A Ilbo and Asia Economy said a school staff member brought Lee's essay "Walking Together Is Not Lonely" (함께 가는 길은 외롭지 않습니다) for a signature, and Lee wrote "응원합니다" on the first page. Dong-A Ilbo added that he dated it 22 October 2026. Newsis said the request came from a parent. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
At the relay, Dong-A Ilbo, Newsis and Kukmin Ilbo said Lee held the finish line. Kukmin Ilbo said he did so with a teacher and also did closing exercises with pupils. Dong-A Ilbo and Kukmin Ilbo said he joined a group photo with all pupils, parents, staff and residents, and led the cheer "Wangung!", to which attendees replied "Wangung, fighting!" [ 1 , 2 , 5 ]
Why it matters
The documents report this as a presidential public appearance at a school event and give no policy consequences. Outlets focused on his interaction with pupils, parents and staff.
Key facts
- President Lee Jae-myung attended the sports day at Wanggung Elementary School in Iksan, North Jeolla, on 22 October. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- Democratic Party floor leader Han Byung-do accompanied him; Newsis said the school is in Han's constituency. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- Asia Economy and Kukmin Ilbo said about 70 pupils and kindergarten children took part, along with parents, staff and local residents. [ 4 , 5 ]
- When pupils asked for an Instagram follow-back, Lee took out his phone and handed it to them; pupils followed accounts on it. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- Lee took off his suit jacket, put on a white jacket and joined games including moving a ball across a long cloth. [ 1 , 2 , 5 ]
- Lee wrote "응원합니다" (roughly "I am cheering you on") in a copy of his essay book when asked for a signature. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Lee attended the sports day at Wanggung Elementary School in Iksan on 22 October, with Han Byung-do. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- Lee told those present he had said he wanted to visit a primary school sports day, was told none was being held, and searched until he arrived at this one. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- Lee handed his phone to pupils who asked for an Instagram follow-back. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- Lee changed out of his suit and took part in games. [ 1 , 2 , 5 ]
- Han played on the opposing side to Lee in the cloth-and-ball game. [ 4 , 5 ]
- Lee wrote "응원합니다" in a copy of his book on request. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- Who asked Lee to sign the book. Dong-A Ilbo and Asia Economy say a school staff member; Newsis says a parent.
- Whether Lee followed the pupils back. Dong-A Ilbo, Asia Economy and Kukmin Ilbo quote him saying he would do it if they cheered hard; the documents do not say whether he did.
- The name of the event. Dong-A Ilbo, Asia Economy and Kukmin Ilbo call it the 2026 Autumn Festival Happy Madang (2026 가을축제 행복한마당); Newsis calls it a sports madang (체육한마당).