"Park Won-soon, Taking Responsibility with His Life" Shows Determination to Proceed with Condolences... Behind-the-Scenes in the Book 'Seungbusa Moon Jae-in'

Former Blue House spokesperson Kang Min-seok is answering questions at a press conference commemorating the publication of 'The Gambler Moon Jae-in' held on the morning of the 1st at the History Bookstore in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Soyoung] "(The late Park Won-soon, former Mayor of Seoul) took responsibility with his life, so there is nothing I can do except offer my condolences." Former Blue House spokesperson Kang Min-seok revealed these contents from his book 'Seungbusa Moon Jae-in' (Medici Media) at a bookstore in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 1st, causing a stir. Kang, a former newspaper reporter, served as the Blue House spokesperson for 1 year and 2 months from February last year to April this year, and held a press conference before the official book sale on the 10th.

In the preliminary edited version of the book disclosed by former spokesperson Kang, there are direct remarks from President Moon Jae-in in various situations. After receiving a report that the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases surged due to a conservative group's rally in Gwanghwamun in August last year, he expressed anger, saying, "A few people caused chaos and wasted the efforts of many!"

Also, upon hearing that a YouTuber who attended the Gwanghwamun rally last year and was confirmed with COVID-19 complained about the food at the treatment facility, he reportedly showed strong displeasure, saying, "Talking about whether the food tastes good or not right now is pathetic."

He also added, "Being hospitalized and mocking as if entering a hotel... The world should operate with common sense."

President Moon reportedly told former spokesperson Kang the day after the late Park Won-soon, Mayor of Seoul, was found dead in July last year, "I have known Mayor Park for a long time. We were classmates at the Judicial Research and Training Institute," and "Senior Jo Young-rae, Mayor Park Won-soon, and I were like a trio."

He then expressed, "Personally, I am hurt. Life is truly fleeting and empty," and lamented, "He took responsibility with his life, so there is nothing I can do except offer my condolences to the victim."

He also reportedly said, "(Mayor Park and I) have been involved in similar activities for many years. Even if criticized, I will pay my respects."

Regarding this, former spokesperson Kang wrote, "It seems aides discouraged the president due to concerns about secondary harm, but how sad the president must have been not to be able to attend the condolence visit. I thought the situation was truly ironic." It is known that some content may change in the final version to be officially published, but the fact that remarks from a sitting president were compiled and published while his term still has a considerable period left is expected to spark various controversies.

At the press conference on the same day, former spokesperson Kang stated, "I wrote the book from the perspective of 'directly facing' reality rather than 'illusion'." He added, "Perhaps because it is an election period, claims that belittle the president's efforts have been rampant. I only intended to convey the facts to respond to the parts where the government's efforts to overcome the crisis and build trust have been damaged."

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