"President Moon's On-Site Visit Is Not Just About Touring Preserved Sites"
On the 17th, one day before President Moon Jae-in's New Year's press conference, Tak Hyun-min, the Protocol Secretary, conducted a rehearsal at the Blue House Chunuchu-gwan press conference room. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] At the New Year's press conference held on the 18th with President Moon Jae-in, amid criticism that "there has been little communication recently," Tak Hyun-min, the Blue House Protocol Secretary, rebutted by saying, "The now common 'uncoordinated press conferences' were not even attempted by previous administrations."
Secretary Tak emphasized this in a post on his Facebook that day, stating, "If you simply compare the number of press conferences where pre-arranged questions were exchanged with those held by the Moon Jae-in administration, the embarrassment should belong to the previous governments."
Secretary Tak explained, "Even if you simply compare the number of press conferences, former President Lee Myung-bak held 18 (domestic 5, diplomatic 8, broadcast 5), former President Park Geun-hye held 16 (domestic 3, diplomatic 13), and President Moon Jae-in, with more than one year left in his term, currently has 19 (domestic 9, diplomatic 7, broadcast 3)." He added, "President Moon's site visits were not merely about touring static scenes."
Secretary Tak said, "Before and after the President's site visits, there were meetings and informal talks with related people, as well as opportunities to listen to opinions and coordinate through meals and tea gatherings." He explained, "Although site visits themselves were limited due to COVID-19, at least until last spring, site visits were the time when the President faced the people more than any other schedule."
He continued, "Nevertheless, it is well known that the public is more curious about the President's words and thoughts." He conveyed, "As the President mentioned today, I believe that more and more opportunities for lively conversations and discussions, regardless of format or content, will be created in the future." He added, "We will strive to create more opportunities for the President, the media, and the public to meet."
President Moon Jae-in is answering a reporter's question at the New Year's press conference held at the Blue House Chunuchu-gwan on the 18th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Earlier that day, at the New Year's press conference held at the Blue House Chuncheon Hall, President Moon responded to the opinion that "there has been little communication recently, showing a lack of communication," by saying, "I do not necessarily think that press conferences are the only way to communicate with the public."
President Moon stated, "I have visited sites more than any other president, and although it was a small group, there were many instances of two-way dialogues. I have made efforts to communicate with the public in various ways."
He also said, "If it felt like communication was lacking due to the gap caused by the recent COVID-19 situation, I will make efforts to increase communication," adding, "I hope conditions will improve going forward."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
