Controversy Over Kim Jung-sook's Clothing Expenses... Blue House States "Cash Payment as a Courtesy to the Master"

Transition Team's 'Albakgi' Criticism Met with... "Apologize"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The Blue House issued a statement on the 1st, saying "This is going too far" in response to the controversy surrounding First Lady Kim Jung-sook's clothing expenses. It also explained that cash payments made when purchasing clothes from master artisans were done "as a matter of courtesy." Regarding the transition committee's criticism of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering's 'entrenchment personnel appointments,' the Blue House responded by demanding an apology.

Park Soo-hyun, the Blue House Communications Chief, appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' on the 1st and said, "There were claims that 'First Lady Kim Jung-sook's clothing expenses were paid using special activity funds,' but we clearly stated that 'this is not the case.'"

Earlier, the Blue House stated that all of the First Lady's clothing expenses were paid out of pocket. Protocol Secretary Tak Hyun-min also explained that payments were made by card. However, as testimonies emerged that some payments at hanbok and shoe stores were made in cash, the controversy further escalated.

Regarding the cash payment allegations, Chief Park said, "All clothing expenses are paid out of pocket," adding, "There are cases where it is necessary to pay in cash as a matter of courtesy to master artisans and designers."

He continued, "Even if most payments are made by card, why would the method of payment?cash or card?be an issue? We have stated that these are not special activity funds, so how would the public feel about attempts to muddy the waters on these matters?"

Some argue that if the expenses were out of pocket and not from special activity funds, the details should be disclosed. In response, Chief Park said, "That claim is excessive," adding, "No matter how much she is the president's wife, there is a private sphere, isn't there?"

Regarding the transition committee's criticism of Park Joo-sun's appointment as CEO of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering as 'entrenchment personnel appointments,' Chief Park called it 'insulting.' On TBS's 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory,' he said, "The Moon Jae-in administration had no involvement whatsoever in personnel matters of private companies. Yet, they assumed and suspected that we were involved, using extreme language like 'shamelessness,' which was actually an insulting briefing."

He added, "Conversely, from our perspective, we could not help but ask whether the transition committee thinks that the Blue House or government has personnel authority even over private companies. We are making efforts to ensure a very good handover of duties, but if they make such briefings that pour cold water on this, they should apologize politely."