Democratic Party Calls Yoon's Office Relocation Plan a "Typical Autocratic Behavior" and "K-Trump"
[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Ha Tae-kyung, a member of the People Power Party, criticized the Democratic Party of Korea, which opposes President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol's plan to relocate the presidential office to Yongsan, saying on the 21st, "It almost seems like they are attacking out of jealousy because Yoon is realizing a dream they could not achieve themselves."
In a post on his Facebook on the same day, Ha said, "The relocation of the presidential office was originally a long-standing pledge of former President Moon Jae-in. The Democratic Party knows better than anyone the necessity and significance of returning the Blue House to the people and having a presidential office where the president and the public can communicate."
He added, "The president advised refraining from making individual comments about Yoon's pledges or governance plans," and "He also expressed his intention to actively cooperate in a stable transition of power, including the relocation of the presidential office."
He directly criticized, "For the Democratic Party to oppose the Yoon administration's presidential office relocation is self-contradictory," and said, "It is very regrettable."
Ha also pointed out, "While criticism during the discussion process is understandable, once a final decision is made, respecting it is the proper attitude for cooperative governance," and asked, "Or do they intend to at least hinder the launch of the Yoon administration?"
Furthermore, Ha emphasized, "The Democratic Party is a major opposition party holding a majority with 172 seats. The Yoon administration will cooperate with the Democratic Party to overcome the COVID-19 crisis, achieve economic growth, and address diplomatic and security challenges," adding, "I hope the Democratic Party will not just obstruct blindly but engage in mature politics by cooperating where necessary and competing where appropriate."
Earlier, on the 20th, President-elect Yoon held a press conference and announced plans to relocate the presidential office to the Ministry of National Defense building in Yongsan, Seoul. The cost of the relocation is approximately 49 billion KRW, and once the related supplementary budget execution plan passes the Cabinet meeting, the division of roles among ministries is expected to accelerate.
President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol is having a luncheon meeting with the heads of six economic organizations at the Presidential Transition Committee office in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 21st. [Image source=Yonhap News]
However, the Democratic Party's opposition has been strong. Park Ji-hyun, co-chair of the Democratic Party's emergency committee, criticized in a KBS radio interview on the same morning, "(Yoon) said he would move to Yongsan to escape from the so-called imperial power, but isn't that itself a typical imperial behavior?" She added, "The person who says they are moving to the Blue House for communication is actually non-communicative regarding the controversy surrounding the move."
Yoon Ho-jung, co-chair of the Democratic Party's emergency committee, also said at the emergency committee meeting, "The people are living each day in anxiety and pain, but the president-elect is only thinking about decorating a new house, which is truly disheartening."
He continued, "This is why in the U.S., people say Korea has its own K-Trump, and rumors are spreading that it might not be a lame duck but a 'swearing-in duck' situation," adding, "I repeat, relocating the Blue House to Yongsan is utterly harmful to people's livelihoods and a disaster for national security."
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