North Korean leader Kim Jong-un gave President Moon Jae-in 2 tons of pine mushrooms as a gift during his visit to Pyongyang, according to Cheong Wa Dae on Thursday.
The seasonal mushrooms will be given to members of families separated by the Korean War who have not yet taken part in reunions. Presidential spokesman Yoon Young-chan told reporters, "The presents arrived in the South while the president and first lady were still in the North."
He said Cheong Wa Dae "chose some 4,000 people with priority on age, and each will be sent 500 g before Chuseok," which falls on Sept. 24 this year.
The mushrooms "hold scent of the rivers and mountains of the North," reads the message from the president and first lady in the gift box. "I hope this will offer some consolation to you, who have longed for your families and relatives in the North every day."
After the first inter-Korean summit in 2000, then North Korean leader Kim Jong-il also sent 3 tons of pine mushroom to Cheong Wa Dae. And right after the 2007 summit, Kim sent 4 tons of pine mushrooms to then President Roh Moo-hyun.