Yoon Ho-jung: "Blue House Relocation to Yongsan Threatens National Security and Infringes on Citizens' Property Rights... Withdraw It"

"Calling Defense and Operations Committees, Actively Responding to Issues"

Yoon Ho-jung, the co-chair of the Emergency Response Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, who has been under pressure to resign, is expressing his position regarding his status at the National Assembly on the 18th. Co-chair Yoon declared that he will maintain his position as the Emergency Response Committee Chair, stating, "I will faithfully perform my duties as the committee chair appointed by the party." Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Yoon Ho-jung, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated on the 20th regarding President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol's announcement to relocate the presidential office to the Ministry of National Defense building, "The hasty and reckless plan to move the presidential office, which harms national security and infringes on citizens' property rights, must be immediately withdrawn."

Chairman Yoon held a press conference at the National Assembly in the afternoon and said, "I strongly urge President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol." He continued, "I hope President-elect Yoon regains composure to ease public anxiety," and emphasized, "The Democratic Party will immediately convene the National Defense Committee and the Steering Committee to actively respond to the issues of relocating the office to Yongsan."

He criticized, "The forced relocation of the Yongsan office has three major problems. The decision-making process was completely hasty and uncommunicative," adding, "Even when relocating a district office, a public hearing is held to ask residents' opinions. Is it appropriate to forcibly relocate the Blue House and Ministry of National Defense, which affect national security and citizens' property rights, without consulting the public? This is the tyranny of the president-elect who completely ignores the will of the people."

He further stated, "A huge hole will be created in national security. Yongsan is the heart of national defense that commands South Korea's national security," and pointed out, "The president-elect's claim that there will be no security gaps is simply a lie."

Chairman Yoon also noted, "Especially if President-elect Yoon's plan to use the Yongsan office, Hannam-dong residence, and the current Blue House State Guest House altogether is realized, the budget for security and protection will cost two to three times more than now. Public inconvenience will also increase drastically," and highlighted, "The waste of taxpayers' money due to the chain relocation of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and subordinate units is also a major issue."

He added, "There is a great concern that the property rights of Seoul citizens will suffer significant damage," criticizing, "If the office is moved to Yongsan, height restrictions will be imposed on Yongsan and the Namsan area, making redevelopment and reconstruction in nearby areas impossible. It is like sacrificing citizens' property rights just to furnish the president's new office."

Meanwhile, President-elect Yoon held a press conference at the Presidential Transition Committee in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, in the morning and announced the relocation of the presidential office to the Ministry of National Defense building in Yongsan.