Kim Eo-jun: "President-elect Yoon tries to relocate national security facilities based on 'feelings and impressions'"

"Does the Earth Collapse If You Work at Cheongwadae for Just One Day?" Harsh Criticism

Broadcaster Kim Eo-jun, host of TBS Radio's 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory' / Photo by TBS YouTube capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Broadcaster Kim Eo-jun, who hosts the TBS radio current affairs program 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory' (News Factory), strongly criticized President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol on the 22nd, saying he is trying to move the national security control tower based on "feelings and impressions."

On the day, Kim said on TBS's 'News Factory,' "I simply cannot understand it. The reason the president-elect himself gave for not entering the Blue House is that 'the moment I enter the Blue House, I feel I will become a despotic president,'" adding, "Feeling like you will become a certain way just by entering a building is nothing but feelings and impressions."

Regarding Yoon's decision to forcibly relocate the presidential office to Yongsan, Seoul, Kim questioned, "He says he won't enter the Blue House, but will the earth collapse if he works there even for a day?" and added, "Wouldn't it be better to work at the Blue House for a while to avoid any gaps in state affairs and national security, prepare properly, and then move?"

Earlier, the Blue House expressed concerns about Yoon's plan to relocate the office to Yongsan, saying, "It seems unreasonable given the tight schedule."

President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol announced on the 20th that he will relocate the Blue House office to the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan, Seoul. The photo shows the Ministry of National Defense building on that day. / Photo by Yonhap News

Park Soo-hyun, the Blue House Chief of Public Communication, said in a briefing, "President Moon Jae-in pledged the Gwanghwamun era and sympathizes with returning the Blue House to the people," but pointed out, "It is a tight schedule with little time left before the new government takes office to push forward plans to relocate the Ministry of National Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Presidential Secretariat."

He continued, "Especially with the heightened security crisis on the Korean Peninsula, relocating the Ministry of National Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Blue House Crisis Management Center during this transition period requiring the consolidation of security capabilities will cause security gaps and confusion," explaining, "It needs to be thoroughly reviewed, and adjustments to the air defense system should also be considered."

He added, "Unless there is an urgent situation that requires rushing, it is logical to proceed with the Ministry of National Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Blue House relocations when better prepared," and conveyed, "President Moon said that until midnight on the last day of his term, military command is a responsibility that the current government and president cannot relinquish."

In response, Yoon's side emphasized that if the Blue House refuses the office relocation, there is no way to enforce it, but pledged to fully open the Blue House by May 10, when Yoon officially begins his duties.

Kim Eun-hye, spokesperson for Yoon's side, stated in a position paper that "If President Moon Jae-in refuses to cooperate on the most essential tasks of the regime transition, there is no way to enforce it," and added, "Yoon will address urgent livelihood issues and state affairs immediately after the government is launched from Tongui-dong." She further said, "Yoon will definitely fulfill the promise of fully opening the Blue House as of midnight on May 10."

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