"Starting from May 10, Operations Begin in New Office" Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of National Defense Adjust Pace

Kim Eun-hye Elected Spokesperson
"We Will Return the Blue House to the People Before the Spring Flowers Fall"

Choosing Between Foreign Ministry and Defense Ministry Buildings
Transition Team to Visit This Afternoon

Further Discussions After Pros and Cons Analysis
Timing Adjusted Due to Concerns Over Work Gaps

The day after the luncheon meeting between President Moon Jae-in and President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol was canceled, on the 17th, Cheongwadae in Jongno-gu, Seoul appeared hazy due to fine dust and fog. Cheongwadae and the president-elect's side are conducting practical negotiations for the meeting, but it is reported that differences of opinion still remain. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol reaffirmed his plan to start official duties from his new office, not the Blue House, beginning May 10. The Presidential Transition Committee's foreign affairs and security subcommittee members are scheduled to inspect two locations?the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National Defense buildings?and will decide where to relocate. Considering the office construction, there is growing likelihood that the move will be expedited. While the plan is to avoid any operational gaps at the Foreign Affairs and Defense ministries, additional costs and security gaps seem inevitable.

On the 18th, spokesperson Kim Eun-hye of the President-elect held a briefing at the People Power Party headquarters and responded to reporters' questions about whether President-elect Yoon would begin working from the new office. She said, "(Not starting work at the Blue House) means leaving the Blue House, a symbol of absolute power in Korean history, and returning that power to the people," adding, "We will return the Blue House to the people before the spring flowers fall." When Asia Economy requested confirmation whether the President-elect would start at the new office, spokesperson Kim replied, "Yes."

Although reports had strongly suggested that the Yongsan Ministry of National Defense building would be the new office site, the official discussion at the Transition Committee the day before selected both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National Defense buildings as candidates. The Blue House relocation task force, which had traditionally led the office move, is not part of the Transition Committee or the President-elect’s direct team. However, it is known that Yoon Han-hong, a People Power Party lawmaker trusted by President-elect Yoon, leads the task force. Spokesperson Kim said, "At yesterday’s meeting, the President reiterated his promise to step down from absolute power and go among the people, and there was much discussion on how to proceed with the process."

Concerns continue that the discussions about relocating the office may have been rushed, as reports about the move have circulated even before the Transition Committee’s personnel were finalized. If either of the two candidate sites is ultimately selected, staff from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National Defense will need to find new buildings.

According to cost estimates compiled by the office of Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Byung-joo, relocating the Blue House security unit and guard facilities is estimated to cost 200 billion KRW, and constructing the Blue House residence and staff dormitories will require another 200 billion KRW. The total cost for relocating the Blue House security unit, military personnel, and their accommodations exceeds 400 billion KRW. The Ministry of National Defense relocation costs are expected to be 220 billion KRW for moving the main office, 220 billion KRW for relocating the Joint Chiefs of Staff headquarters, and 140 billion KRW for moving the Defense Support Group. Notably, the Joint Chiefs of Staff building is equipped with an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) facility to defend against nuclear bombs and EMP attacks; constructing a new building with such EMP facilities is estimated to cost an additional 100 billion KRW. Since the Ministry of National Defense building is adjacent to the Joint Chiefs of Staff building, concerns about security gaps due to the sequential relocation of units have been raised. Moreover, remodeling the existing buildings will also be necessary, which could take a considerable amount of time.

President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol holds a plaque ceremony with Ahn Cheol-soo, the chairman of the transition committee, Kwon Young-se, the vice chairman, and other attendees at the transition committee office set up at the Financial Supervisory Service Training Institute in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 18th. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

Im Tae-hee, former Blue House Chief of Staff and special advisor to President-elect Yoon, said in a phone interview, "Neither the Ministry of Foreign Affairs nor the Ministry of National Defense can afford any operational gaps or disruptions," adding, "The Ministry of National Defense, in particular, would face serious consequences if there were any gaps." Im emphasized, "It is responsible governance to move first and then ensure the new system is functioning well before making further changes."

How much more discussion is needed regarding the office relocation is expected to be decided after the Transition Committee members’ site inspections that day. Spokesperson Kim said, "Since this was a major campaign promise of President-elect Yoon, it is important and requires consensus," adding, "The Transition Committee is responsible for deciding national tasks, so they will gather opinions, conduct inspections, and engage in discussions and debates to reach consensus." When asked if the decision would be made soon, spokesperson Kim told Asia Economy, "We will know after the site visits today."

However, the announcement is not expected to be significantly delayed. Spokesperson Kim said, "We aim to fulfill our promise to the people by reaching sufficient consensus and gathering opinions from the Transition Committee members, and we hope to have an opportunity to announce the decision as soon as possible."

Regarding reports that a new official residence would be built after relocating to the Ministry of National Defense building, she drew a clear line, saying, "That seems to have been reported too early. Nothing has been decided."