Cheong "Increase in security personnel unrelated to former presidents' pardon issue"

President Moon's Yangsan Residence Security and Protection Personnel TO Confirmed at 65
Protection Personnel to Be Selected, Trained, and Deployed by May Next Year... Yangsan Residence Construction Proceeding Normally

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] The Blue House clarified that the increase in security personnel for the presidential residence is unrelated to the issue of pardoning former Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye. It simply reflects preparations for organizing security and protection personnel after President Moon Jae-in’s retirement in May next year, without any other political background.

A Blue House official stated on the 4th regarding President Moon’s residence in Yangsan, Gyeongnam, “The total number of personnel is 65, including 27 security personnel and 38 protection personnel,” adding, “This is completely unrelated to the issue of pardoning former presidents.”

The Blue House explained that construction of the Yangsan residence is proceeding normally. Recently, Yangsan City in Gyeongnam has been engaging in “listening activities,” such as holding meetings with residents attended by officials from the Blue House Security Office. During these meetings, residents raised concerns about parking space, and the mayor of Yangsan responded accordingly.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The organization of security and protection personnel is also part of preparations for after President Moon’s retirement. The 27 security personnel represent the initial staffing level consistent with previous presidents. The addition of 38 protection personnel is a decision made because the police-managed conscripted police are being phased out, and the protection duties for former presidents are being transferred to the Security Office, according to the Blue House.

Previously, for the protection of retired presidents, one police company of 120 personnel (20 police officers plus about 100 conscripted police) was deployed. The Blue House explained that the 38 protection personnel now represent about one-third of the previous level compared to former presidents. The protection personnel require about four months for selection and three months for training. Both security and protection personnel are scheduled to be assigned to their posts in May next year.

Earlier, on the 3rd, President Moon instructed at a Cabinet meeting, “The increase in security personnel for the residence is due to the abolition of conscripted police and the transfer of their duties to the Security Office,” but also directed, “Since public taxes are being used, carefully review and consider ways to operate efficiently.”