Yoon Kunyoung: "Ministry of the Interior and Safety Told Me to Wait for Data on Cat Tower, 228 Tons of Tap Water Until After Administration Change"

"Embezzlement Allegation?
If You Are Confident, Disclose the Contract"

Yoon Kunyoung, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea, commented on the allegation that former President Yoon Sukyeol used over 228 tons of tap water while staying at the official residence for a week after his impeachment verdict. He stated, "When I requested the data, an official from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety said, 'The Hannam-dong residence is a high-security facility, so we cannot provide the information.' Then, unofficially, they told me, 'You know we can't give you the data right now. Wait until after the election and a change of administration, then you can see it.'"

On April 21, during an appearance on MBC Radio's "Kim Jongbae's Focus," Yoon explained, "The Ministry of the Interior and Safety manages government buildings and agencies, so I requested documents such as contracts and water usage data," describing the situation as above.

Former President Yoon Sukyeol and First Lady Kim Keonhee are leaving their residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the 11th and heading to their private home in Seocho-dong. Photo by Yonhap News

Previously, the Office of the President addressed the controversy over the '228 tons of tap water used' by stating, "The average daily tap water usage at the residence ranges from 25 to 32 tons depending on the season. This is a typical level. We understand that, in the past, the Blue House residence used 40 to 50 tons of tap water per day."

In response, Yoon Kunyoung said, "Even staff at the Office of the President said they couldn't understand it. I heard there is a small swimming pool at the residence, but apparently former President Yoon and his wife did not use it. Unless the pool water was completely replaced, the amount used is difficult to comprehend." He added, "The explanation that this is the usual amount used is also not reasonable. The Blue House is on a vast piece of land with many buildings and trees, so it is not comparable in size to the Hannam-dong residence."

Former President Yoon and his wife are also facing allegations that they installed a cat tower worth about 5 million won and a cypress bathtub worth tens of millions of won at the residence, and then took them when they left. On April 17, the Office of the President rebutted, "The embezzlement allegations are not true. These items remain at the residence. The newly purchased cat towers cost around 1.7 million won each (a total of five, including installation). The cypress bathtub at the residence is a single-person tub, and we understand that the Blue House previously used up to four hinoki bathtubs and a sauna."

Yoon Kunyoung pointed out, "The records show 5 million won, but the Office of the President says 1.7 million won. One of them is clearly lying. What is certain is that the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, which was the contracting party, was deceived." He continued, "The essence of the controversy is that public funds were used for the president's private affairs, namely for keeping a cat, but they have not provided any evidence to prove otherwise. If they are confident, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety should release the contract they have."

He went on to criticize, "Currently, the Office of the President should be assisting Han Ducksoo, the acting president and prime minister. There is no reason for them to defend the impeached former president, yet the Office of the President is stepping forward to explain."