Lee pledges support for Busan's rise as 'second capital' after foreign tourists spend W1tr

President Lee Jae Myung said Saturday he would actively support the opening of new export markets for South Korean agricultural products, following the first-ever shipment of domestically grown sweet persimmons to China after 17 years of quarantine negotiations.

"Our sweet persimmons are taking their first steps into the Chinese market," Lee wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "After 17 years of quarantine negotiations, they are finally being exported to China for the first time."

Lee said the expansion beyond Southeast Asia into China would create new opportunities for South Korean farmers. "As the range of export destinations diversifies, we can reduce dependence on any single market and introduce our agricultural products to more consumers," he said.

Earlier, Lee also shared a post by Busan Mayor Jeon Jae-soo noting that foreign tourists visiting Busan had spent 1 trillion won ($745 million) using credit cards.

"I cheer on Mayor Jeon and the people of Busan," Lee wrote. "Busan must reclaim its status as the country's second capital. Mayor Jeon and the people of Busan will make the city a world-class maritime hub, and the Lee Jae Myung administration will provide full support."