Despite Public Opposition, President-Elect Yoon Denies Possibility of Withdrawal: "Philosophy and Determination of Those in Government Are Important"

"Hard to Escape Without Decisiveness"
President-Elect Yoon: "I Believe Space Dominates Consciousness"
"Will View Previous Work and Handover as One and Request Cooperation"

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 Financial Training Institute in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 20th. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Naju-seok and Park Joon-yi] President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol announced plans on the 20th to relocate the presidential office to the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan, firmly dismissing the possibility of withdrawal.

At a press conference held at the annex of the Korea Financial Training Institute in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, where the transition team office is located, Yoon expressed a negative stance in response to reporters' questions asking, "If public opinion is unfavorable, would you consider withdrawing?" Yoon said, "During the election process, the focus was not on Gwanghwamun, but I said I would leave Cheong Wa Dae and return it to the people, and many citizens supported this positively," adding, "I believe that the philosophy and determination of the person responsible for the government are more important than conducting a public opinion poll on this matter now." He asked for respect for his philosophy and determination.

Regarding comments such as "Let's review it over time" or "It's not urgent," he stated, "I believe it is not acceptable to enter Cheong Wa Dae," and added, "If it takes time, eventually we have to enter, but if we work there, the relocation will not happen due to various busy tasks."

There were also criticisms suggesting that while he claims to abandon the imperial presidency, he might be strengthening and using it from his time as president-elect. In response, Yoon said, "That means abandoning the imperial presidency in an imperial way, but if you do not make that decision, it is difficult to escape the imperial presidency." He continued, "I believe that space governs consciousness," and "I am speaking directly to gain understanding on this matter."

Regarding the relocation of the Ministry of National Defense and the presidential office, which ultimately should be promoted by the Moon Jae-in administration, he stated, "Regarding the relocation issue, I see it as part of the handover with this government (Moon Jae-in administration) and plan to request cooperation."

After the press conference, Yoon Han-hong, a member of the People Power Party who led the relocation work, told reporters, "We will have full discussions with Cheong Wa Dae regarding the relocation of the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, and the Secretariat," adding, "There has been prior coordination on a practical level."

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