Yoon Kim Eun-hye Spokesperson on Meeting with Moon Jae-in: "Hope It Resolves Naturally"

"All Meetings Between Former and Current Presidents and President-Elects Have Been Successful"
"Security Measures Will Be Thorough Even When Using Tongui-dong Office"

On July 25, 2019, President Moon Jae-in is seen heading to the meeting room after presenting the appointment letter to Yoon Seok-yeol, then the newly appointed Prosecutor General and now President-elect.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghoon Jung] The team of President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol has left open the possibility of a meeting with President Moon Jae-in, expressing the hope that "it will be resolved naturally."

Kim Eun-hye, spokesperson for the President-elect, stated this during a briefing held on the 23rd at the Presidential Transition Committee office in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul. Spokesperson Kim said, "As far as I know, there has never been a failure of a meeting between the incumbent president and the president-elect during the transfer of presidential power," adding, "We have maintained the position that anyone can meet regardless of party affiliation."

In response to a question about whether there will be no remodeling of security facilities and other equipment at the Tongui-dong transition office, which is currently used as the office after inauguration, Kim said, "President-elect Yoon always keeps his focus on the people in governing the country," and added, "If he works at Tongui-dong, security and protection for the head of state will be firmly ensured, but we are not considering expanding the rooms or remodeling the interior."

Regarding a question about the utilization plan for the existing underground bunker at the Blue House after inauguration, Spokesperson Kim said, "Whether it is the Blue House, the Ministry of National Defense, or the Joint Chiefs of Staff bunker, it is a part that the president can choose," and added, "We have said that even if the office is relocated to the Yongsan Ministry of National Defense building to get closer to the people, there will be no security gaps whatsoever. We will observe the situation until May 10 and then announce where the choice will be."