Refusing to Visit Cheong Wa Dae Because of Kim Gun-hee? Kwon Seong-dong Says "Yongsan Relocation Idea Came from a Column"

"Kim Gun-hee's Influence on Yongsan Relocation? Democratic Party's Fake News"
"One-Third of Joint Chiefs Building Empty, Plenty of Space Available"

President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol (right) and Kwon Seong-dong, member of the People Power Party./National Assembly Press Photographers Group [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Kwon Seong-dong, a member of the People Power Party, strongly denied suspicions that Kim Geon-hee, the spouse of President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol, had influence over the relocation of the presidential office to Yongsan.

Kwon, known as a close aide to President-elect Yoon, appeared on MBN's 'Pandora' on the 21st and dismissed related questions by saying, "It is all fake news created and spread by the Democratic Party."

Kwon revealed that when the idea of relocating the office was first conceived, the Yongsan Ministry of National Defense building was not an option. He explained, "(Regarding whether to move to) the Government Seoul Office in Gwanghwamun or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building, a defense specialist reporter from Kyunghyang Newspaper wrote a column titled 'Open the Yongsan Era.' The official in charge of the office relocation saw the column and thought that it was unacceptable for the president to commute back and forth from the Hannam-dong residence for five years, causing public inconvenience, so they considered moving to the Ministry of National Defense."

When the host asked again if the idea to relocate the office to Yongsan came from a reporter, Kwon replied, "Yes," adding, "So I visited the Ministry of National Defense and saw that a citizens' park was being created on the US military site, which would serve as a physical communication space between the president and citizens, and that a residence could be built there. I personally recommended it, believing it would minimize public inconvenience such as traffic."

In response to the question, "If the presidential office moves to Yongsan, where will the existing Ministry of National Defense go?" Kwon explained, "The Joint Chiefs of Staff building next to the Ministry of National Defense building is one-third empty. It was built quite large on the premise that the ROK-US Combined Forces Command would move in," assuring that there is enough space even after the office relocation. He added, "Also, the old and new Ministry of National Defense buildings are vacant. If space is insufficient, the old Ministry of National Defense building can also be used."

Regarding the question about the need for timing adjustments such as persuading residents, he said, "It would be great if everyone could be persuaded," but added, "Since the presidential term starts on May 10, it is better to hurry." He continued, "Some people say to stay at the Blue House for a year and then move, but then they would criticize that the campaign promise was not kept," emphasizing, "There can be pros and cons and anyone can criticize, but I see it as a matter of decision."