Kwon Seong-dong "At this point, it's election refusal... I've never seen obstruction like this"
Gomin Jeong "Please discuss measures to fill the security gap"
[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Kwon Seong-dong, a member of the People Power Party, criticized President Moon Jae-in on the 24th for not fulfilling his campaign promise to relocate the Blue House, calling it "giving up due to the sweetness of power." In response, Go Min-jung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, retorted, "Was life at the Blue House sweet during Lee Myung-bak's presidency?"
Earlier, Kwon appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' in the morning and said, "Relocating the Blue House was a promise President Moon Jae-in made twice but failed to implement. Why is that? Because once you enter the Blue House, it is too good," expressing this view.
When the host asked, "Was it because of security issues that the promise was not fulfilled after review?" Kwon replied, "Security is a factor, but once you actually enter, there is no place as good as the Blue House." He added, "They oppose purely for the sake of opposition because President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol said he would keep what they could not."
He also stated, "The issue of relocating the Blue House is not simply about moving the office but about dismantling the Blue House. In other words, it is a reform of the governance structure and part of political reform," adding, "They say they want to protect national power, and President Moon made the promise, which President-elect Yoon also intends to keep, so I don't understand why they oppose it. I've never seen a departing government sabotage the first task of a newly inaugurated government like this."
Kwon said, "At this point, isn't it refusal to accept the election results? Ultimately, the Democratic Party intends to use this issue to rally their supporters for the local elections," and criticized, "Isn't the safety of the presidential office the most important? That is the core of security. Yet, they shake the core of security themselves and then talk about security gaps, which is a contradictory argument."
In response, Go refuted Kwon's remarks on Facebook. She asked, "Did you find life at the Blue House sweet during Lee Myung-bak's presidency?" and "Or did the former president say that life at the Blue House was sweet?" Kwon served as the Legal Secretary at the Blue House's Civil Affairs Office during Lee Myung-bak's administration.
She continued, "From what I remember, the lives of the president and Blue House secretaries were filled with continuous heavy workloads from early morning to late at night, whether on holidays or weekdays, so there are hardly any sweet memories," emphasizing, "I keep saying that I am not outright opposing the relocation of the Blue House."
Go also said, "Before calling the expression of concern about security gaps 'sabotage,' please discuss supplementary measures," adding, "Instead of just hanging a banner saying 'We will heed the people's will,' please listen to the voices of the people."
Meanwhile, the Blue House stated on the 21st after a National Security Council (NSC) expanded ministerial meeting chaired by President Moon, "It seems unreasonable to relocate the Ministry of National Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, presidential office, secretariat, and security office before the new government takes office," and warned, "Sudden relocation of the unprepared Ministry of National Defense and Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Blue House Crisis Management Center could cause security gaps and confusion."
In response, spokesperson Kim Eun-hye for the president-elect said, "We want to work. Please help us to be able to work. From the people's perspective, we want to be a truly competent and effective government," adding, "We will not bypass necessary reforms due to difficulties or leave them as future burdens on the people."
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