Shin Pyung, Kim Jung-sook Urges "Disclose Special Activity Expense Details" Amid 'Protocol Expense Controversy'

Shin Pyung: "President Moon Hides Away When Difficulties Arise During His 5-Year Term"

President Moon Jae-in and First Lady Kim Jung-sook are attending a luncheon meeting with young adults preparing for independence held at the Blue House on the 10th of last month. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Amid recent controversy over the "protocol expenses" involving Kim Jung-sook, wife of President Moon Jae-in, lawyer Shin Pyeong stated on the 28th, "President Moon and his wife should transparently clarify these suspicions by disclosing the Blue House's special activity expenses (special activity funds) usage details." Shin, who was active in Moon Jae-in's campaign during the 19th presidential election, publicly supported President-elect Yoon Seok-youl in the 20th presidential election.

On the same day, Shin posted on his Facebook under the title "It is time for an honest explanation from President Moon and his wife," saying, "President Moon declared upon entering the Blue House that he would deduct even personal expenses like food and toothpaste from his salary."

He continued, "Nevertheless, when the Taxpayers' Federation requested disclosure of information pointing out what appeared to be excessive luxury by Mrs. Kim, the Blue House refused, claiming that the expenditure was a 'state secret.'"

He further stated, "The Seoul Administrative Court rejected the Blue House's claims and ordered the disclosure of the information. However, the Blue House appealed the ruling, attempting a loophole by classifying the related materials as presidential records to keep them confidential for at least 15 years."

Shin added, "The brooch at the center of the controversy surrounding Mrs. Kim may not be worth the approximately 200 million won claimed in rumors but could be a counterfeit worth about 100,000 won. Other clothing and accessories might also have been exaggerated and unfairly attacked."

Lawyer Shin Pyeong. [Photo by Yonhap News]

He went on, "President Moon and his wife should clearly clarify these suspicions by disclosing the Blue House's special activity funds usage details," adding, "Even if the expenses slightly exceeded reasonable limits, if the total over five years amounts to several hundred million won, the public might be somewhat dissatisfied but would likely accept it generously, considering the president's pledge to personally cover even toothpaste expenses."

He also criticized, "Over the past five years, President Moon tended to hide whenever difficulties arose. It has always been like that," and added, "That void was filled by provocateurs like Kim Eo-jun and flashy political shows by Tak Hyun-min."

Finally, he emphasized, "Now, please stop that and provide a fair, honest, and humble explanation regarding this matter, which has already become a national suspicion."

Earlier, on the 25th, Shin had also posted on his Facebook criticizing, saying, "Mrs. Kim reportedly indulged in excessive luxury throughout her husband's term using Blue House special activity funds."

He questioned, "Outwardly, she focused on 'commoner cosplay,' but behind closed doors, she routinely engaged in such shameful acts," and asked, "How can someone be so utterly shameless?"

He continued, "The new government should shine a spotlight on Mrs. Kim, ensure that luxury items purchased with special activity funds are returned according to legal regulations, and publicly and properly handle the returned items," adding, "Only then can the public's pent-up resentment caused by Mrs. Kim's endless hypocrisy be somewhat alleviated."

President Moon Jae-in and First Lady Kim Jung-sook are delivering New Year's greetings via video at the Blue House on January 31. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, on the 10th of last month, the Seoul Administrative Court ruled that the Blue House must disclose special activity funds and Mrs. Kim's protocol expenses following an information disclosure request by the Korea Taxpayers' Federation. However, the Blue House appealed the decision on the 2nd.

In response, opposition parties and some online communities raised suspicions that Mrs. Kim's clothing expenses might have been included in the special activity or protocol expenses.

As the controversy grew, the Blue House rebutted on the 29th, calling it "baseless claims." At a briefing at the Chungryugwan, Blue House Deputy Spokesperson Shin Hye-hyun stated, "During the term, no national budget such as special activity funds was allocated or used for clothing purchases as the president's spouse, and all expenses were borne privately."

She added, "We regret the indiscriminate and factually incorrect claims made under the pretext that the Presidential Secretariat's special activity funds cannot be specifically disclosed due to reasons related to national defense, diplomacy, and security."

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