Tak Hyun-min on Kim Jung-sook's clothing cost controversy... "Reminds me of President Moon's 20 trillion won gold bar report"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Tak Hyun-min, Protocol Secretary at the Blue House, criticized the controversy over First Lady Kim Jung-sook's clothing expenses on the 1st, saying, "I recall the people who demanded the disclosure of the 20 trillion won gold bars at the Yangsan residence and the media outlets that reported on it."

On Facebook that day, Secretary Tak said, "When I think of the First Lady's wardrobe, the 'Moon Jae-in gold bars' that were a hot topic in the media five years ago come to mind again."

Secretary Tak pointed out, "This futile debate has now moved to police investigation," adding, "Even those who initially raised the issue have reached the point of pleading for more focus on the essence, which is the special activity expenses."

Secretary Tak said, "Before the recent Hanbok Day, I attended a Cabinet meeting wearing the traditional honor guard uniform. After the event, the question I received most frequently was, 'With what money did you buy the hanbok?'" He added, "It wasn't just a few reporters asking; a flood of stern inquiries came from People Power Party lawmakers. When I said, 'Each attendee prepared their own,' the next questions followed: 'With what money? From where?' I explained again that each person prepared their hanbok either by renting or from their own possession."

Secretary Tak continued, "Then it escalated to questions about how to verify that some of the hanboks were indeed personally owned. At that point, a senior secretary mentioned submitting a photo from a 70th birthday party where siblings had the hanboks made together, and that settled the controversy."

Secretary Tak said, "Lately, I've thought it was fortunate that it ended there. There were no questions about whether the hanbok rental was paid by card or cash," adding, "However, after all this, wearing hanbok on Hanbok Day has become more burdensome."