Second Day of Old and New Power Clash... Moon "Commander-in-Chief Will Take Full Responsibility" Yoon "Please Let Me Work"

"Core Tasks of Government Transfer" Indirectly Criticized Under Security Pretext
Yoon Blue House Pressure... Both Sides Open to Consultation
Concerns Over Power Struggles Persist After Narrow Presidential Victory and Divided National Assembly

[Asia Economy Reporters Lee Ji-eun and Na Ju-seok] President Moon Jae-in and President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol have clashed twice over 12 days since the presidential election, signaling a prolonged conflict between the ruling and opposition parties. Considering the narrow margin of victory in the election and the opposition-controlled National Assembly, there is a growing possibility that the current power will not willingly relinquish its position. The fact that the customary meeting between the outgoing president and the president-elect during a regime transition has not yet taken place is also seen as stemming from this conflict between old and new forces. There are increasing calls for cooperation and dialogue.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 22nd, President Moon presided over a Cabinet meeting and emphasized, "Security, economy, and safety are tasks that must be managed stably through cooperation between the current and next governments during the regime transition," calling it "a core task of government handover." He stated, "There can be no small gaps in state affairs," and added, "Although my term is nearing its end, I will regard fulfilling my duties as the head of state, administrative chief, and commander-in-chief as my final mission."

Amid concerns raised by the Blue House about a potential "security gap" related to the relocation of the presidential office, President Moon’s emphasis on the importance of security during the government transition is interpreted as a subtle criticism of President-elect Yoon’s side. At the Cabinet meeting that day, the request from the transition team for the use of approximately 49 billion won in contingency funds was not submitted for consideration.

The President-elect’s camp pressured the Blue House, saying, "Please help us to work." Kim Eun-hye, spokesperson for the President-elect, stated, "We will not bypass necessary reforms or leave them as future burdens on the people due to difficulties."

President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol attended the transition committee secretariat meeting held at the Presidential Transition Committee in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 22nd, and remained silent after finishing his remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

However, both sides remain open to consultation. Park Soo-hyun, Blue House Senior Secretary for Public Communication, said, "The Blue House is not opposed to relocating the new government president’s office to Yongsan," adding, "There are concerns about a security gap, so we want to discuss this." Spokesperson Kim also added, "If the Blue House separately conveys what they wish, we will carefully deliberate."

Nevertheless, the prevailing view is that conflicts between old and new forces will continue even after the new administration takes office. A senior member of the People Power Party said, "The current ruling party will not simply accept the opposition-controlled National Assembly," and added, "There is a high possibility they will obstruct the work of the newly launched government."