Kim Jung-sook's Outfit Designer Daughter 'Working at Cheong Wa Dae'... Kim Eo-jun "What's the Problem?"

"Mrs. Kim's Taste and Body Shape Well Understood by Hired Expert"
"Costume Controversy, Same Method as During Roh Moo-hyun's Era"

Broadcaster Kim Eo-jun. / Photo by TBS YouTube capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Broadcaster Kim Eo-jun criticized the report that the daughter of a designer frequently visited by First Lady Kim Jung-sook, wife of President Moon Jae-in, was hired and is working in the Blue House's Second Secretariat, saying, "Why is this a problem? I absolutely cannot understand it."

On the 1st, Kim pointed out on his TBS radio show 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory,' which he hosts, "For it to be a problem, the person would have to be unqualified, doing a job different from their qualifications, or given an excessive position (which is not the case). There is no reason why this should be a problem."

He said, "Originally, the Second Secretariat has staff in charge of events and protocol, and there is also someone responsible for clothing. This is a person who should be there," adding, "That person (the hiree) has operated the brand that Mrs. Kim has frequented for many years even before President Moon's election, together with her mother, so she knows Mrs. Kim's taste and body shape precisely. Since she also runs the brand, isn't she an expert? So why is it a problem to hire an expert on a contract basis?" he questioned again.

Kim also criticized the various suspicions arising over Mrs. Kim's clothing expenses, saying, "It is an insult to the outgoing president and his family, and they are trying to create a controversy like the 'field watch' scandal during former President Roh Moo-hyun's time," adding, "(They) are repeating the exact same method as back then."

Earlier, TV Chosun raised suspicions of 'preferential hiring,' reporting that the daughter of a famous designer frequently visited by Mrs. Kim even before President Moon's election was hired as a contract employee at the Blue House and was in charge of the clothing for the presidential couple.

Regarding this, Park Soo-hyun, Blue House Chief of Public Communication, said in an interview with MBC Radio on the 1st, "For contract positions requiring expertise, the hiring can be done through procedures equivalent to open recruitment, but for contract hires like this, it can be done through recommendations, etc.," adding, "There are many such people, not just this person. I do not agree that this should be considered a special case or receive attention."