Cheong Park Kyung-mi "Moon was especially concerned about Jeju 4·3... but considered Yoon's attendance"

"Presidential Cup Air Force No. 2 Plane Also to Be Given to President-Elect"

On the 3rd, Yoon Seok-yeol, the president-elect, delivered a memorial address at the 74th 4.3 Victims Memorial Ceremony held at Jeju 4.3 Peace Park. Photo by the Transition Team Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Park Kyung-mi, the Blue House spokesperson, stated that President Moon Jae-in did not attend the Jeju 4·3 Victims Memorial Ceremony because "he made arrangements for President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol to attend."

On the afternoon of the 5th, Park appeared on KBS Radio's 'Joo Jin-woo's Live' and explained that the handover discussions between the Blue House and President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol's team were proceeding smoothly, adding this information.

Park said, "The Blue House is doing its best to ensure a smooth handover, and the President's consideration for the President-elect is exceptional," and explained, "The Moon Jae-in administration also enacted related legislation to resolve the Jeju 4·3 issue, provided compensation, and sincerely cared for the victims."

She continued, "President Moon was very devoted to Jeju 4·3. He attended the 4·3 memorial ceremonies multiple times," and added, "(This time as well) Jeju civic groups visited the Blue House and earnestly requested the President's participation, so the President could have attended. However, he made arrangements for the President-elect to attend instead. He even handed over Air Force Two, the presidential aircraft, to the President-elect. As far as I know, this is the first time the President-elect has flown on the presidential plane," she said.

When asked if President Moon had ever been late to the Jeju 4·3 memorial ceremony, Park replied, "President Moon arrives early."

Previously, President-elect Yoon was criticized for being late to the 74th Jeju 4·3 Victims Memorial Ceremony. The memorial siren sounded to mark the start of the ceremony, and about 290 attendees began a moment of silence when President-elect Yoon entered the venue, creating a somewhat chaotic atmosphere.

Regarding this, spokesperson Kim Eun-hye explained at the Presidential Transition Committee's regular briefing on the 20th, "When Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, the bereaved family representatives, and we arrived at the venue, I understand that the President-elect entered while listening to the representatives' remarks," and added, "Although the ceremony started late, we believe it was important not to miss hearing the bereaved family representatives' words," offering an apology.