Park Juseon "Shilla Hotel Ultra-Luxury Inauguration Dinner? Almost No Cost Difference with Cheongwadae Guesthouse"

"3.3 Billion" Record High Inauguration Cost: "Park Paid 3.1 Billion 10 Years Ago... Inflation Since Then"

Park Joo-sun, Chairman of the Presidential Inauguration Preparation Committee, is holding a press conference on the committee's appointments and progress of work at the briefing room of the Presidential Transition Committee, located in the annex of the Korea Institute of Finance in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 23rd of last month.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] As it became known that the inauguration ceremony cost for President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol will be about 3.3 billion KRW, the largest among all presidential inaugurations, some criticized it as a "luxurious waste of taxpayers' money." In response, Park Joo-sun, Chairman of the Presidential Inauguration Preparation Committee, stated, "Ten years ago, during President Park Geun-hye's inauguration, it was 3.1 billion KRW," emphasizing the need to consider inflation.

On the 27th, Park appeared on CBS Radio's "Kim Hyun-jung's News Show" and explained, "We plan to hold the inauguration within the allocated budget," adding, "Prices have risen significantly, especially labor costs, and with the integration of various advancements in science and technology into the event, the costs inevitably increased."

Park also noted, "In the 2021 regular National Assembly session, since the presidential inauguration was scheduled for May 10, the budget was set considering inflation through bipartisan agreement," and criticized, "At the time of budget approval, no one knew who would become president on May 10, so calling it a luxurious inauguration now is a political attack."

Regarding concerns that holding the inauguration foreign guests' banquet at the Shilla Hotel's State Guest House might waste public funds, Park explained, "The cost difference is minimal." He said, "Even if held at the Blue House State Guest House, food must be brought in and prepared by a hotel. Holding it at a hotel only adds a rental fee; it is not a luxurious state or foreign guests' banquet."

He continued, "The presidential inauguration is a state event defined by law," and added, "You cannot hold a banquet attended by foreign heads of state or guests at street food stalls or tent villages."

Meanwhile, the Presidential Inauguration Preparation Committee decided not to invite former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min or Lee Jae-myung, Senior Advisor of the Democratic Party, who competed in the presidential election. Park said, "Since there is no precedent and it might inadvertently remind or deepen painful wounds from defeat, which could be considered disrespectful, we have tentatively concluded not to invite them this time."