Lee Jae-oh "You Shouldn't Go to Yongsan... It's Strengthening Authoritarian Power"

Lee Jae-oh, Standing Advisor of the People Power Party, Opposes 'Blue House Yongsan Relocation'
"Security is Critical, but the Ministry of National Defense Is Told to Move Elsewhere"
"A Site Where Japanese Troops Were Stationed Since 1882... The President Should Not Go There"

Lee Jae-oh, Standing Advisor of the People Power Party [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Jung-wan] Lee Jae-oh, Standing Advisor of the People Power Party, expressed opposition to the Yoon Seok-yeol president-elect's side seriously considering Yongsan as the location to relocate the Blue House office, stating, "I am against moving to Yongsan." He cited reasons for opposing the move to Yongsan, including "because it would strengthen the monarchic power again" and "because Yongsan is historically a painful place."

On the 17th, Lee appeared on CBS Radio's 'Hanpan Seungbu' and explained why moving to Yongsan is not appropriate: "Currently, the Ministry of National Defense is located there, and it is a site of significant military importance. If the office moves there, it will become a second Blue House," adding, "It would mean reinforcing monarchic power again."

He explained, "Coming out to Gwanghwamun Street means giving new hope to the people and establishing oneself as a president of the people, not a monarchic president who lives apart from the people," and emphasized, "Because it is a place with political and historical significance, the office should move to Gwanghwamun."

He continued, "Currently, the Ministry of National Defense is in Yongsan. Considering international relations and relations with North Korea, the country is in a very critical security situation," and criticized, "Suddenly telling the Ministry of National Defense to move elsewhere during this critical time is simply unreasonable."

Lee stated that the second reason for opposing the move to Yongsan is historical, saying, "It is a painful place for our country."

He asserted, "Since the Imo Incident in 1882, the Japanese military's embassy guard unit was stationed in Yongsan, and from then on, the Joseon Army Garrison Command, the Japanese Army Wartime Command, and the Japanese Army Headquarters were located there," adding, "From our perspective, Yongsan and its surrounding area is truly a place where the president should not go."

He emphasized, "This is not about moving a private residence," and said, "When the president of a country moves the office, it should not be done as if following geomantic theories."

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