Concerns Over Security Gap: "Maintain Current Defense Posture Without Moving JCS"
"Moon Administration Covered North Korean Provocations, Now Claiming Security Is Nonsense"
"Office Relocation Is a Promise to the People, a Natural Step as President-Elect"
Kim Ki-hyun, floor leader of the People Power Party, is attending the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 22nd and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@
[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Hyun-ji] Kim Ki-hyun, floor leader of the People Power Party, criticized the Blue House on the 22nd for obstructing President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol's plan to relocate the presidential office.
At the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Kim said, “President Moon Jae-in suddenly changed his stance and refused to approve the use of contingency funds for the office relocation,” adding, “Unless it is a spiteful grudge like being jealous when a cousin buys land, what kind of shame is it for an outgoing administration to obstruct the newly inaugurated government as it finishes its term?”
He also refuted the Blue House’s argument of “security gaps” as a reason for opposing the presidential office relocation. Kim stated, “The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), which is the core of military readiness, will not be relocated and will maintain the current readiness posture. Although there may be some inconvenience due to the Ministry of National Defense’s relocation, the move itself is not problematic at all.” He further criticized, “The Moon administration, which only clung to inter-Korean dialogue without demanding compensation or an apology even after North Korea unilaterally blew up the inter-Korean joint liaison office that cost 70 billion won of taxpayers’ money, and which referred to North Korea’s missile provocations as unidentified projectiles, now claiming to prioritize security is nonsense.”
He emphasized President-elect Yoon’s firm determination regarding the relocation of the presidential office. Kim explained, “During the last presidential election, Yoon promised the public that if he became president, the existing Blue House would disappear and a new concept of presidential office with a completely different organizational structure and working method would be created,” adding, “Since he was elected with the support of the people, it is only natural for him to swiftly and surely fulfill his promises to the public as the president-elect.” He reiterated, “Although it is not feasible to set up the office in Gwanghwamun due to practical constraints, Yoon’s strong belief and will is to return the Blue House to the people, communicate frequently with staff and the media nearby, and keep his promise to move away from an imperial presidency.”
Kim also said, “Currently, the president-elect does not have the authority to allocate the budget, and there is no way to enforce it if the Blue House refuses,” but added, “The People Power Party will, immediately upon Yoon’s inauguration, allocate the budget and unwaveringly push forward measures to move away from the Blue House, authoritarianism, and the imperial presidency.”
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
