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President`s vacation at home

Posted July. 25, 2015 07:10,   

한국어

U.S. President Barack Obama spent his Christmas vacation for 17 days in Hawaii last year. However, no politicians or media criticized him for taking a long vacation. He spent more than 4.1 billion won (3.5 million U.S. dollars) in transportation expenses alone, including the operation of Air Force One. While on vacation, he signed an executive order to impose sanctions on North Korea, which hacked Sony Pictures film "The Interview."

Former U.S. President George W. Bush took 533 days of vacation during his eight years in office – an average of 67 days per year. German Chancellor Angela Merkel usually enjoys her vacation in the Swiss Alps in winter. In January 2014, she fractured her pelvis in a skiing accident there. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe took his 2013 summer vacation at a villa in Yamanashi Prefecture. When a rain-triggered landslide struck Hiroshima while he was playing golf with former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, he returned to his official residence in Tokyo and took measures, before going back to the villa.

South Korean President Park Geun-hye plans to take a five-day vacation from July 27 at her official residence Cheong Wa Dae. She reportedly plans to contemplate on major agendas and prepare for her speech marking the 70th anniversary of national liberation from Japan`s colonial rule, without any schedule for official activities. In 2013, her first year in office, she spent just one night on a small island off the south coast where she had memories of her younger days as the First Daughter.

Last week, President Park asked government officials to show examples of taking vacations in the country rather than going overseas. She wanted them to contribute to boosting domestic consumption to help reinvigorate the slumping economy. If the president stays home for vacation, will ministers and other government officials be able to comfortably enjoy their vacations? Some propose that the president visit underprivileged people or drought-stricken rural villages. However, a vacation has to be like a vacation. I hope that she will take a good break with her family members or close friends. How about spending her vacation with her younger brother and nephews?



swpark@donga.com