"Yongsan Presidential Office" Concerns from Cheong Wa Dae Met with "Regret" by President-Elect Yoon's Team

President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol is holding a press conference on the relocation of the Blue House presidential office to the Yongsan Ministry of National Defense building at the press conference room of the Presidential Transition Committee, located in the annex of the Korea Financial Training Institute in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 20th. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Hye-seon]Regarding the Blue House's expression of concern about the plan for the 'Yongsan Presidential Office,' the office of President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol expressed regret on the 21st.

Kim Eun-hye, the spokesperson for the President-elect, stated in a press release that "President-elect Yoon politely and thoroughly explained to the public yesterday about the relocation of the presidential office to Yongsan," adding, "It is unfortunate." She also said, "If President Moon Jae-in refuses to cooperate on the most essential matters of the regime transition, there is no way to enforce it."

Spokesperson Kim said, "President-elect Yoon will address urgent livelihood issues and national tasks immediately after the government is launched from Tongui-dong," and mentioned, "As of midnight on May 10, President-elect Yoon will definitely fulfill the promise of fully opening the Blue House."

On the same day, following the expanded National Security Council (NSC) meeting chaired by President Moon Jae-in, the Blue House stated, "The plan to relocate the Ministry of National Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the presidential office and secretariat, and the security office before the new government takes office seems excessive," adding, "The sudden relocation of the unprepared Ministry of National Defense and Joint Chiefs of Staff, as well as the Blue House Crisis Management Center, could cause security gaps and confusion."