On the 21st, the scene of entering the Cheong meeting room side by side draws political attention... President Moon conveys his will for power agency reform, emphasizing Minister Chu's important role
[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] "They were waiting outside the venue to greet..." A senior Blue House official explained the 'photo' of President Moon Jae-in and Minister of Justice Chu Mi-ae entering the conference room side by side on the afternoon of the 21st in this way.
As the scene of the president and the Minister of Justice entering with smiling faces at the '2nd National Intelligence Service, Prosecution, and Police Reform Strategy Meeting' held at the Blue House was captured, attention focused on the background. In politics, sometimes 'image' reaches more effectively and quickly than 'message.'
The single photo captured at the Blue House was seen as confirming President Moon's strong trust in Minister Chu amid the opposition party's calls for her resignation, sparking controversy.
The Blue House explained that the scene of President Moon and Minister Chu entering the conference room was not a staged production. A senior Blue House official said, "When the cabinet members greet, it is done according to the protocol order. Since the Minister of Justice ranks higher in protocol, Minister Chu was waiting outside."
The cabinet was responsible for Minister Chu's greeting, and the Blue House's Chief of Staff to the President, Noh Young-min, was in charge of the 'greeting' on the Blue House side. They waited and then entered together with the president. From the meeting of President Moon and Minister Chu to entering the conference room, including taking the elevator, it was just about 30 seconds. Since Blue House officials including Chief Noh rode the elevator together, there was no time for a private meeting between President Moon and Minister Chu.
From the Blue House's perspective, it is difficult to assert that the attention surrounding the photo of President Moon and Minister Chu is a political burden. Ultimately, it became an opportunity to highlight President Moon's determination for reform of the power institutions and his trust in Minister Chu.
In his closing remarks at the strategy meeting that day, President Moon said, "Reforming the power institutions is a major task that changes 70 years of history," and added, "Now only legislation remains. Please do your best so that we can take a step forward."
The reason this meeting is evaluated as a turning point in the political situation is that it was a 'political event' arranged at the moment when the ruling party shifted from defense to offense regarding the controversy over Minister Chu. It became a place where President Moon publicly declared to the public that he entrusted Minister Chu with a 'major task that changes history.'
Minister Chu was the figure who led the return to power as the Democratic Party leader when President Moon ran in the May 2017 presidential election. Considering their special political relationship and President Moon's interest in the prosecution reform issue, the general analysis is that the replacement of Minister Chu was unlikely from the beginning. The strategy meeting on the 21st reflects President Moon's intention to put political controversies aside and push forward the reform drive.
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