Tak Hyun-min, Blue House Secretary, "The Genuine Article Must Depict a Phoenix and the President"

Impersonation of Fisheries Worker Causes Controversy Over President Moon's Gift... Blue House Clarifies "Anyone Can Purchase Bottles with Blue House Logo"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] Tak Hyun-min, Protocol Secretary at the Blue House, stated in an interview with TBS's 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory' on the 8th regarding the controversy over the 'fake fisheries businessman' receiving gifts from President Moon Jae-in, "It is not just the Blue House logo stamped on it, but it must have a phoenix and the president depicted to be considered a kind of genuine product."

Secretary Tak said, "(The gifts that the fake fisheries businessman supposedly received) are mostly items presumed to be sold at the Blue House store. In the case of liquor bottles, when the president gives a gift, the president's signature is either engraved or printed on it," he explained.

On that day, Secretary Tak explained one by one the differences between souvenirs available for purchase by anyone at the Blue House store or the Sarangchae outside the Blue House and the gifts given by President Moon.

The view of the Blue House from Namsan, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Secretary Tak said, "When the president sends gifts directly, all are recorded, but in the case of that person, we do not even know them, nor have we ever sent anything directly."

Secretary Tak explained, "Among the items confirmed from the article photos, there seemed to be liquor bottles, letters, and watches. In the case of liquor bottles, those with the Blue House logo stamped on them can be purchased by anyone at the Sarangchae space outside the Blue House."

Secretary Tak said, "There is a store inside the Blue House," adding, "It sells general souvenirs."

Secretary Tak added, "You can buy them even without visiting the Blue House for a tour, at the Sarangchae space outside the Blue House," and added, "In other countries, tour programs also allow the general public to come and purchase freely."

Regarding the letter controversy, Secretary Tak said, "The handwriting is not the one we use," and added, "Whether sending photos or official messages, the handwriting used by the president is regulated."

Secretary Tak said, "The president's message is sent in the form of letterhead or cards, which have a phoenix pattern. The president's signature is included, and the phoenix pattern is not just printed but embossed with gold foil."

Secretary Tak said, "Because there is a phoenix pattern, people might naturally think the president sent it, but if they had just checked with us once, such speculative articles or false reports would not have been produced."

Furthermore, Secretary Tak pointed out, "What can be confirmed as nonsense is the photo part. They put a photo of the president and first lady waving in front of Air Force One and claim it symbolizes their friendship with the president, which is ridiculous," and added, "It is not even a photo of them together."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.