[Q&A] President-elect Yoon Aims to Open the 'Yongsan Era'... "Space Dominates Consciousness"

Previous cost estimate totals 49.6 billion KRW, contingency fund application planned
Hannam-dong official residence considered as living space
Citizen inconvenience issue: "3-5 minutes travel time, no significant inconvenience expected"

President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol is holding a press conference on the relocation of the Blue House presidential office to the Yongsan Ministry of National Defense building at the press conference room of the Presidential Transition Committee, located in the annex of the Korea Institute of Finance in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 20th. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol expressed his intention to relocate the presidential office from the Blue House to the Ministry of National Defense building in Yongsan, Seoul, stating, "If a decision is not made, the space controls consciousness."

On the 20th at 11 a.m., Yoon held a press conference at the annex of the Korea Financial Training Institute in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, where the transition committee office is located, and made these remarks.

When asked why he prioritizes relocating the office despite urgent public issues such as COVID-19 damage compensation, he emphasized, "Creating a space where I can work and communicate with the people is ultimately a way to serve the people, and since it is a decision made by the president, it is an urgent matter."

He also revealed plans to request a contingency budget of a total of 49.6 billion won, estimated through discussions with the Ministry of Economy and Finance, to cover relocation costs.

Below is a Q&A session.

- When will the president-elect move into the Yongsan office?

▲ I plan to move in and start working immediately after the inauguration ceremony on May 10. Although moving is not simple, since it is a move within the same complex, I believe it will be possible after moving, remodeling, and installing security facilities.

- I understand that costs for relocating the Ministry of National Defense or creating a park are not included in the relocation expenses. How much would it cost if included, and can this budget be covered by the government contingency fund?

▲ There are rumors about 1 trillion or 500 billion won, but there is no basis for that. Since the Ministry of National Defense is moving to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), moving and remodeling costs are included in the budget allocated by the Ministry of Economy and Finance. It is estimated to cost about 11.8 billion won. Moving the Presidential Secretariat requires bringing furniture, computers, and other necessary assets. The current building is only 10 years old, but this one is 20 years old and needs remodeling. Installing bulletproof windows for security costs 25.2 billion won, allocated by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and moving costs for the security office are expected to be about 9.997 billion won. For the official residence, one in Hannam-dong will be used, and remodeling and installing necessary security facilities will cost 2.6 billion won. Therefore, we plan to request a contingency budget of 49.6 billion won.

- If the president-elect commutes from the Hannam-dong residence to Yongsan, traffic control may cause inconvenience to citizens, and communication restrictions around the area may also be problematic. Is there an alternative?

▲ There are several routes from the residences of the Foreign Minister and the JCS Chairman in Hannam-dong, but it is expected to take about 3 to 5 minutes to enter with traffic control. If time is used appropriately, I believe there will be no significant inconvenience to citizens.

- There have been controversies about geomancy and shamanism during the process of changing the relocation site from Gwanghwamun to Yongsan.

▲ Although it came up during the presidential election, it seems the Democratic Party is very interested in shamanism. The Yongsan issue was never completely excluded from the start; it was considered as one of several alternatives during the pledge-making process. When I visited the Gwanghwamun 1st and 2nd government buildings, there was space to move in, and working together could create synergy. However, relocating the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or government buildings would require acquiring new buildings. Both locations have underground bunkers connected by passages for emergencies, allowing the National Security Council (NSC) to operate. Gwanghwamun does not have this. For NSC meetings or helicopter use, one would have to return to the Blue House. Relocation is not simple. Moving the Ministry of National Defense into Gwanghwamun or relocating the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building involves significant challenges.

- There are many urgent public issues such as COVID-19 recovery, but the relocation of the presidential office seems to be pursued as the president-elect's top pledge.

▲ The transition committee is handling COVID-19 compensation and urgent public issues. I have given many orders to the committee, and solutions will be announced soon. This (office relocation) is separate. Creating a space to work and communicate with the people is ultimately a way to serve the people, and since it is a decision made by the president, it is an urgent matter. The transition committee will prioritize urgent public issues regardless, so it is difficult to say which comes first or last.

- There are concerns that relocating the Ministry of National Defense will create a military gap.

▲ It is hard to accept that moving military units would create a defense gap. Experienced personnel have planned this thoroughly. The move is just next door. So there is no need to worry. The Ministry of National Defense has network facilities here and also at Namtaeryeong. If the JCS moves to the wartime command post at Namtaeryeong, would that be considered a defense gap? Saying that moving major military facilities creates a defense gap is like saying that building a single military facility makes relocation impossible. We must relocate as quickly and efficiently as possible to avoid any disruption to security posture.

- You initially spoke of the Gwanghwamun era in your pledge but later said it was difficult. Why was this not reviewed during the pledge formation? Could you not have said 'Yongsan era' from the start?

▲ Issues like relocating existing government agencies or minimizing presidential security were not thoroughly reviewed regarding inconvenience to residents or workers near Gwanghwamun. The previous administration also tried to relocate to Gwanghwamun but judged it impossible. They even considered moving to the old palace museum in front of Gyeongbokgung Palace. Moving to Gwanghwamun would make it impossible to fully open the Blue House, and it would be difficult to promote openness during the election. After receiving reports as president-elect, I thought relocating to Gwanghwamun would be a 'disaster' for citizens. It would take years and would not proceed. Moving to the suburbs is not an option, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building must be near most foreign embassies. Moving all at once is difficult and costs several times more than the total cost combined. Frequent mobile phone outages or electronic device disruptions could cause significant economic damage to companies and financial institutions here. I received reports immediately after the election and concluded that relocating to Gwanghwamun is impossible.

- The Ministry of National Defense relocation should happen within the current administration's term. How far have discussions progressed with the current government?

▲ After today's announcement, I plan to request cooperation from the current government as part of the handover process regarding the contingency budget and relocation issues.

- You mentioned relocating the JCS to Namtaeryeong. Will the facility management unit and cyber unit move together?

= It does not mean the JCS will move immediately. We will use the current building first, and when the JCS moves, even if using existing facilities, sufficient personnel will follow. We will build it properly to ensure effective and comfortable working conditions. The Defense Security Command building is also there, but we will carefully review this to ensure the JCS can conduct consistent operational command during wartime and peacetime, and relocate in stages accordingly.

- While development around the Blue House is restricted, Yongsan requires redevelopment. Are there any development issues?

▲ Development restrictions around the Blue House exist due to the palace, and there are many invisible restrictions extending to Pyeongchang-dong, where Kim Shin-jo infiltrated in the past. These restrictions mostly remain due to the palace's scenic preservation. However, these will likely be eased. The area around the Ministry of National Defense and JCS is subject to military facility protection zone restrictions, and development has continued within those limits. New buildings and apartments have been constructed within these restrictions, and no additional restrictions apply.

- You said you are moving the presidential office to communicate with the people. Since the decision is made, urgent matters seem to include changing the security paradigm. Have you reviewed this?

▲ Current security technology is quite advanced. We plan to change the security system to avoid inconveniencing communication with the people and to get closer to them. As you have seen, the image and space where the president works can be viewed by citizens who come out for a walk, which is important for spiritual communication. Meeting citizens in person is important, but since we have a presidential system, even if the constitution changes later and the prime minister takes over, the highest decision-maker's work being visible to the people at any time and being exposed like this can greatly advance democracy in our country.

- There are internal complaints within the Ministry of National Defense and public dissatisfaction regarding the Blue House relocation. Do you plan to meet and communicate directly with the people to persuade them?

▲ Absolutely. Not only for this issue but for any matter, if the people are curious and direct explanation is needed, I will meet individuals. If that is difficult, I will meet with reporters. As I said during the election, the Blue House is quite far from the Chuncheon Press Center. I plan to be stationed on the first floor of this building, and if you follow security rules, I will come down anytime to communicate with the people through you.

- You said you would relinquish the imperial presidency, but is the method of promotion reinforcing the imperial presidency from the president-elect period?

▲ Saying that relinquishing the imperial presidency is done imperially means that if a decision is not made, the space controls consciousness. Therefore, I am explaining this to gain the people's understanding.

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