"Presidential Office Relocation to Yongsan, Hasty Execution and No Explanation for 1 Trillion Won Cost"

"Relocating the Blue House Is Not an Issue to Be Rushed"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] On the 20th, the Democratic Party of Korea criticized President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol's announcement to relocate the presidential office to Yongsan, saying, "This is not an issue to be rushed as if pressed for time."

On the same day, Ko Yong-jin, the senior spokesperson of the Democratic Party's emergency committee, said in a briefing, "It is hard to understand what is so urgent."

Senior Spokesperson Ko pointed out, "It is highly questionable whether the Yongsan Ministry of National Defense building is an appropriate place for communication with the people," and criticized, "The procedure is also one-sided." He added, "Is it right to unilaterally decide on a nationally significant matter without any public consultation? President-elect Yoon says he will relinquish his imperial power, but this is precisely an imperial behavior."

He also questioned whether it is possible to relocate the Blue House and the Ministry of National Defense within 50 days.

Senior Spokesperson Ko expressed concern, saying, "I am very worried about national confusion and security gaps," and added, "It is highly contradictory that President-elect Yoon, who has emphasized security based on strength such as preemptive strikes and additional deployment of THAAD, is neglecting security issues in this way."

He also mentioned, "There is no clear explanation regarding the cost issue, which is expected to reach around 1 trillion won," and explained, "Above all, the reason for this is unclear. If the president-elect's will is firm, this is something that can be pursued with sufficient time."

He continued, "It seems that the original intention to create a Blue House that enters the people and communicates with them has been forgotten," and emphasized, "President-elect Yoon must take responsibility for the confusion and side effects caused by the hasty relocation of the Blue House."