Following Tak Hyun-min, Im Jong-seok also voices opposition to 'Blue House Relocation'...

The Transition Team Says, "We Will Return the Blue House to the People Before the Spring Flowers Fall" in Opposition

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] As the meeting between President Moon Jae-in and President-elect Yoon Seok-youl was postponed due to disagreements over the agenda, the Blue House and the transition team are also engaged in a power struggle over the 'office relocation.' Following Tak Hyun-min, the Blue House Protocol Secretary, Im Jong-seok, the former Chief of Staff and considered Moon's 'right-hand man,' also voiced his opinion.

On the 18th, former Chief Im posted on his Facebook, saying, "I cannot understand why the current Blue House is not being used even for a single day," and added, "It is only logical to start work at the Blue House where all conditions are fully prepared."

Former Chief Im advised, "As someone who considered relocating to Gwanghwamun with the President in the early days of the (Moon administration) government operation, I suggest formally establishing an organization for the Blue House relocation."

He said, "Pushing through the sudden change from Gwanghwamun to Yongsan without any measures for relocating the Ministry of National Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, which are core to the national security system, without gathering opinions, and even without budgeting, is incomprehensible in every way."

The day before, Secretary Tak also expressed opposition through a Facebook post, saying, "If you are not going to use this (Blue House), can’t we just use it?" and "We will gather good people and manage it well."

He personally stated that he has no objection to the President-elect’s Blue House relocation, but compared the President-elect’s side to the Japanese colonial government and the people to 'subjects' by saying, "When Japan turned Changgyeonggung into a zoo, they said they would return it to the 'subjects'." The People Power Party reacted strongly, saying, "Comparing the President-elect, who promised to return the closed Blue House to the people, to Japan, and the people to subjects (臣民) of the monarchy era, is an insult to all citizens of the Republic of Korea."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The President-elect’s side is showing even stronger determination regarding the 'office relocation.' Kim Eun-hye, the President-elect’s spokesperson, told reporters in the morning, "The symbol of absolute power in Korean history comes from the Blue House, and we intend to return that power to the people," adding, "We will return the Blue House to the people before the spring flowers fall."

As the power struggle between the old and new forces continues over the office relocation, efforts to coordinate the meeting date between President Moon and President-elect Yoon are ongoing. Spokesperson Kim said, "Lee Cheol-hee, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs, and Jang Je-won, Chief of Staff, are continuously communicating based on mutual trust." A senior Blue House official also hinted, "Negotiations are underway behind the scenes," and "The meeting is likely to take place next week."