Yoon Seok-yeol "Will Abolish Existing Cheongwadae... Land Will Be Returned to the People" (Comprehensive)

Announcement of 'Political Sector Pledges' on the Morning of the 27th
Emphasis on the 'Public-Private Joint Committee' Recruiting Private Talent

Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, is announcing his political pledges at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 27th. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Bomryeong Geum, Hyunji Kwon] Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, pledged to abolish the Blue House and establish the 'Presidential Office' in Gwanghwamun. He plans to return the existing Blue House site to the public. Along with this, he emphasized the abolition of the 'imperial presidency.'

On the morning of the same day, Yoon held a 'political pledge' press conference at the People Power Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, stating, "The new Presidential Office will be established at the Gwanghwamun Government Seoul Office," and "The existing Blue House site will be returned to the people."

The Blue House is planned to be abolished. Yoon said, "If I become president, the existing Blue House will disappear. A 'new concept Presidential Office' with a completely different organizational structure and working method will emerge," adding, "Because the Blue House, which dominates ministries, monopolizes power, fails to properly respond to national crises, and does not prepare for the future, can no longer lead the country."

He also plans to expand the involvement of private-sector talents in the Presidential Office. Yoon explained, "The Presidential Office, the highest control tower of state affairs, will be completely transformed into a place where Korea's top public officials and private-sector talents work together," adding, "We will gather the best talents from the private sector, including overseas Koreans, without discrimination, to participate in state administration. Whether experienced middle-aged individuals or young and ambitious talents, anyone with patriotism and ability will be welcomed into the control tower of state affairs." This is interpreted as operating the Presidential Office in a form combining elite aides and 'sector-specific public-private joint committees.'

He intends to abolish the imperial presidency. Yoon emphasized, "We must thoroughly eliminate the remnants of the imperial presidency," and "The extralegal president who only asserts authority will no longer exist. The president will come down within the framework of the rule of law and focus on what needs to be done."

Yoon also said, "The people will always be able to meet the president. The president will always communicate and work with the people," adding, "The next government will start state affairs in a new space and in a new way from the first day of the term."

After the press conference, when asked by reporters, "In what form do you plan to return the Blue House?" Yoon replied, "Since the Blue House has historical value, it is not for me to decide how to utilize it. First, I will return it to the people and then listen to the opinions of various experts and the public."

Regarding concerns that private-sector participation may raise issues of accountability, verification, and security, he said, "The president takes full responsibility," and added, "How the public-private joint committee diagnoses and inspects Korea's current issues is not a matter of security."