Park Ji-hyun "Building Houses for Disaster Victims Is More Important Than Moving the Office" vs Ha Tae-kyung "Stop Holding Back"

Park Ji-hyun "Protecting the People's Homeland Comes First"
Ha Tae-kyung "Suspect Attack Stems from Jealousy"

Park Ji-hyun, Co-Chair of the Emergency Response Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 21st.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Political conflicts are intensifying over President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol's plan to relocate his office to Yongsan. Park Jihyun, co-chair of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized it as a "typical example of autocratic behavior," while Ha Tae-kyung, a member of the People Power Party, urged, "Stop obstructing and start cooperating."

On the 21st, Park criticized Yoon's push to move the office to Yongsan on KBS Radio's "Choi Kyung-young's Strongest Current Affairs," saying, "I heard that it would be better to build houses for the victims who lost their homes in the wildfires in Gangwon and Gyeongbuk, and I sincerely empathized."

He also stated regarding the relocation costs, "It involves a budget in the trillion-won range," adding, "Given that South Korea is facing a tremendous crisis right now, we should start by questioning whether it is appropriate to spend such enormous costs on moving the Blue House office."

Earlier, President-elect Yoon announced that the cost of relocating the presidential office to the Yongsan Ministry of National Defense building would be 49.6 billion won. However, the Democratic Party countered that it would cost at least 1 trillion won.

Park said, "Those who will be responsible for national affairs and work for the people should prioritize protecting the homes and livelihoods of the people rather than their own workspace or house. I felt a great regret that this should have been prioritized."

Ha Tae-kyung, member of the People Power Party. [Photo by Yonhap News]

On the other hand, Rep. Ha criticized the Democratic Party opposing the office relocation plan, saying, "Stop obstructing the launch of the Yoon Seok-yeol government and immediately engage in cooperation."

On the same day, he opened his remarks on his Facebook, saying, "The relocation of the presidential office was originally a long-standing pledge of former President Moon Jae-in," and "The Democratic Party knows better than anyone the necessity and significance of returning the Blue House to the people and having an office where the president and the people can communicate."

He continued, "It is self-contradictory for the Democratic Party to oppose the Yoon Seok-yeol government's presidential office relocation. It is very regrettable," adding, "While various criticisms can be made during the discussion process, once a final decision is made, respecting it is the correct attitude for cooperation."

Rep. Ha also pointedly said, "I want to ask if they intend to obstruct the launch of the Yoon Seok-yeol government. I even suspect that they are attacking because they are bitter that Yoon is realizing a dream they could not achieve."

Previously, former President Moon, during his 2012 presidential candidacy for the Democratic United Party, said, "If I become president, I will relocate the presidential office to the Gwanghwamun Government Complex," and "I will open the current Blue House to the public." However, after taking office in the 19th presidential election, he withdrew the pledge due to costs and security issues.