Kim Jong-in: "Moving the Office to Yongsan Doesn't Necessarily Improve Communication"

"Communication depends on how the Secretary and President manage their communication relationship"
"The decision to move the office to Yongsan was not made lightly"
"It is only natural to observe the winner's decision"

Former People Power Party's General Election Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in is speaking at a youth forum commemorating the publication of his book "Why Do Presidents Fail?" held on the afternoon of the 10th of last month at Dariso Theater in Mapo-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Jung-wan] Kim Jong-in, former head of the People Power Party's overall election committee, commented on President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol's decision to relocate the presidential office to Yongsan, saying, "Just because the location has changed doesn't mean communication will become smoother."

On the afternoon of the 21st, Kim appeared on MBC Radio's 'Pyo Chang-won's News High Kick' and stated, "Communication requires both sides to have the means and opportunities to talk to each other."

Kim said, "In fact, the current Blue House has become like an old palace, where communication with the public and with the secretaries working together is not happening. This is the justification for moving the Blue House to Yongsan," adding, "Whether this is a valid reason depends on individual judgment, so I think it's a separate issue."

He continued, "Just because the presidential office is located in a place like Yongsan doesn't necessarily mean communication will improve," and argued, "It actually depends on how the secretaries serving the president and the president himself manage that communication relationship."

Regarding criticisms such as whether there was sufficient communication and expression of opinions during the Yongsan relocation process, he said, "Some people say the decision was made too quickly without enough discussion, but I believe the president-elect would not make such a decision lightly," adding, "I think he considered various factors, public opinion, and concerns others have about the Yongsan presidential office."

He added, "Once the president-elect has made up his mind and decided to proceed, it is only natural to observe how the situation unfolds."

On the Blue House's negative stance toward the supplementary budget support related to the relocation of the presidential office to Yongsan, he said, "If the president-elect meets with the incumbent president to discuss, the issue can be resolved."

Kim said, "I think a meeting between President-elect Yoon and President Moon Jae-in will likely happen soon," and added, "If the current and future presidents meet and discuss this matter in detail, some conclusion will be reached."

He also said, "Since a new president has been elected through the election, I think it would be wise for the outgoing president to actively cooperate in creating an environment where the new president can work effectively."