[Interview] Park Gwancheon Advises President-Elect Yoon to "Be Wary of Being Manipulated by Close Associates"

"President-elect Yoon, It Is Important Not to Lose Your Original Intent and to Maintain Balance"
"Impeachment of Park... Heartbreaking as Someone Who Served Him," Reflections
Civil Group People's Livelihood Economy Research Institute Urges Pardon and Reinstatement of Former Administrative Officer Park

Former Blue House Public Service Discipline Secretary Park Gwan-cheon. Former Secretary Park urged President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol to be cautious of close aides. During the Park Geun-hye administration, he revealed the so-called 'Sip-sang-si documents' to the public and exposed the so-called 'door handle power,' causing a significant social impact.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] "It seems sufficient to be cautious of being manipulated by close aides."

Former Blue House Administrative Officer Park Gwan-cheon advised President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol to "be wary of close aides." He emphasized, "It is important not to lose your initial resolve and to maintain your focus." Park, who caused a major stir by exposing the so-called 'Ten Eunuchs Document' (2014 'VIP Private Influence on State Affairs' document) revealing that the so-called 'Three Key Gatekeepers' of the Blue House during the Park Geun-hye administration were secretly interfering in state affairs, is a notable figure. In July 2014, former President Park Geun-hye dismissed the allegations as "baseless rumors circulating in the market" during a luncheon with the Saenuri Party (predecessor of the People Power Party) leadership and the Budget and Accounts Special Committee members. However, Park’s revelations eventually led to the unprecedented impeachment of a president in Korean history.

In an interview with Asia Economy on the 28th, Park was asked if he would make the same choice again, to which he replied, "To put it simply, yes." He reiterated, "What I did was the past role of the Saganwon and Daegan, managing relatives and close aides. Even if Daegan risks losing their head, they must not put down their pen. I have no regrets." Currently, civic groups regard Park as a victim of political incidents and are calling for his pardon and reinstatement. Below is a Q&A with former Administrative Officer Park.

- How have you been lately?

▲ I have been leading a normal life, giving lectures and writing. Occasionally, people around me suggest, "Why not enter politics?" But having worked for a long time in the Blue House’s Office of Civil Affairs, I have witnessed and experienced various aspects of politics firsthand, so I have no desire to get involved. However, if given the opportunity, I would like to help the public understand current social situations correctly through commentary and analysis based on my experience.

- Former President Park was released through a special pardon and moved into her residence in Daegu. What is your view on this?

▲ Although she was a failed president, thinking about her as someone I once served makes my heart ache. In past hospital visits, her eyes captured on camera showed resentment and sorrow, but this time she seemed to have healed not only physically but also emotionally. I hope she can now find some peace.

- The 'Daejang-dong' controversy was intense during the presidential election. How do you foresee the future investigation?

▲ Regarding the Daejang-dong issue, from the early stages of the case, I advocated through media interviews that a special prosecutor investigation was necessary to thoroughly resolve all related suspicions for the public. The authority to investigate is entrusted by the people to the prosecution and police to uncover the substantive truth in cases that raise public suspicion; it is not an omnipotent sword inherently granted to them.

But because some people misunderstand this, the public’s desire for prosecutorial reform is so strong. Would the public really trust the investigation results presented by the current prosecution? This can be seen from surveys on public trust in state institutions, where the prosecution ranks low. A sword can cut others, but if wielded blindly and recklessly, it may end up cutting one’s own arm.

In January last year, the Supreme Court’s 2nd Division (Presiding Justice Noh Jeong-hee) upheld the lower court’s ruling sentencing former Administrative Officer Park to eight months in prison with a two-year probation. The case involved charges of violating the Presidential Records Management Act and leaking official secrets by frequently handing over 17 internal Blue House documents, including those related to suspicions of state affairs interference by Jung Yoon-hoe, husband of Choi Seo-won (formerly Choi Soon-sil), to Park Geun-hye’s younger brother Park Ji-man between June 2013 and January 2014.

The civic group Minsheng Economy Research Institute (Minsheng-yeon) has called for pardons and reinstatements for Park and others who exposed illegal acts during the Park Geun-hye administration. On the 26th at 3 p.m., at a rally held in front of the Blue House Sarangchae on Hyoja-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Minsheng-yeon Director Ahn Jin-geol stated, "All victims of political incidents during the Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye eras, including former Police Superintendent Park Gwan-cheon and former official Jang Jin-su, should be pardoned and reinstated before Buddha’s Birthday this year."

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