South Korea’s President turns traffic reporter

Seoul, Oct 2 (IANS) South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Monday surprised listeners by turning up as a radio station traffic reporter.

"Hello, this is Moon Jae-in. This is information on the current traffic conditions as you make your happy way to your hometowns," said Moon as he took to the airwaves from the studios of the TBS broadcaster in the north-east city of Seongnam.

"You must be surprised that I've suddenly turned up on the broadcast," Moon said.

Reminding people that dozing off at the wheel is the most dangerous thing on long-distance drives, the President said there is a saying that the most reliable seat belt is rest, Yonhap news agency reported.

"It's good to take a rest at rest areas when tired," Moon said. He also asked drivers to make sure "all seat belts are fastened when you hit the road again".

Moon's appearance on the station was part of his signature campaign to better communicate with people on the occasion of the Chuseok holiday, the equivalent to Thanksgiving.

The President also thanked bus, taxi, train drivers as well as maritime workers who will be working during the holiday.

"This is Moon Jae-in. Thank you," he said at the end of the broadcast.