[2022 National Audit] Choo Kyung-ho "Sufficient Practical Consultations Held for Yeongbingwan New Building Budget"

Regarding the claim that the Presidential Office relocation costs exceed 1 trillion won, "I cannot understand how such a calculation was made"

Deputy Prime Minister for Economy Choo Kyung-ho attended the National Assembly audit on the Ministry of Economy and Finance (Economic and Fiscal Policy) held on the 4th and responded to questions from lawmakers. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Kwon Haeyoung] Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choo Kyung-ho said on the 4th regarding the opposition party's allegation of a 'non-official power' related to the recently canceled budget for the construction of the presidential guesthouse, "The budget for the presidential guesthouse was thoroughly discussed with the Ministry of Economy and Finance."

At the Ministry of Economy and Finance's audit by the National Assembly's Planning and Finance Committee on the same day, Deputy Prime Minister Choo said, "Like other project budgets, we conducted sufficient consultations with the working-level staff and prepared the budget, but I cannot disclose the details one by one because it is a security facility."

He explained, "There was a discussion between the working-level staff of the Presidential Office and the Ministry of Economy and Finance around mid to late July, and at some point in August, I was also informed. In August, the preliminary feasibility study was exempted, and the project name and amount were reported, but this fact was highlighted in early September."

Regarding the Democratic Party's claim that the cost of relocating the Presidential Office exceeds 1 trillion won, Deputy Prime Minister Choo said, "I do not agree," and rebutted, "I do not understand how such a calculation was made." He added, "If the budget is necessary for the relocation of the Presidential Office, it will naturally be submitted to the National Assembly to seek the necessary understanding," emphasizing, "Since it involves taxpayers' money, it is not a matter that can be handled behind closed doors."