Kim Yong-hyun's "Disgusting Blue House" Remark: "Honestly Expressed Feeling That It Hinders the New Government's Launch"

"'If the remark 'disgusting' was excessive, I regret it'
'Yoon begins work at Tongui-dong office, may fully open Cheongwadae on May 10'"

Kim Yong-hyun, former Chief of Operations at the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is answering reporters' questions at the press conference on the relocation of the Presidential Office to Yongsan, held on the morning of the 20th at the Presidential Transition Committee briefing room in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Former Joint Chiefs of Staff Operations Headquarters Chief Kim Yonghyun expressed regret, saying "If it was excessive, I am sorry," regarding his comment calling the Blue House "disgusting" for blocking President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol's plan to relocate the presidential office to Yongsan.

Kim, who is the head of the Blue House relocation task force directly under President-elect Yoon, said in an interview with JTBC Newsroom on the 22nd, "I made an honest expression because it felt like the Blue House was hindering the launch of the new government."

However, Kim repeatedly criticized the Blue House's low-key stance toward North Korea, saying, "During the past five years under the Moon Jae-in administration, North Korea conducted 40 missile provocations. Yet, they never once called these provocations provocations."

Regarding the demolition of the Kaesong Industrial Complex and the inter-Korean joint liaison office, he said, "Isn't it true that 70 billion won of our citizens' tax money was invested? Even when it collapsed in an instant, no one dared to say a word," adding, "and the September 19 military agreement tied the hands and feet of our military. This fundamentally shook the foundation of our military and national security."

He dismissed concerns about a gap in the national crisis management system due to the presidential office relocation. Kim explained, "There are two parts to the national crisis management system: one is the military command communication network, and the other is the disaster safety communication network. The military command communication network is much better installed by the Ministry of National Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff than the current Blue House system, so there is no need to relocate it. The disaster safety communication network has not yet been installed but is scheduled to be set up in November. The infrastructure and budget are all prepared, and it can be relocated as soon as a decision is made."

He emphasized that President-elect Yoon will begin working at Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, on May 10, the inauguration day, and will return the Blue House to the people. He said, "Although I don't know exactly when, the plan is to work at Tongui-dong during the period of moving into the Ministry of National Defense building," adding, "Nevertheless, the regime will change at midnight on May 10. From that moment, we will unconditionally return the Blue House to the people through full opening."