"Will Ask"... Why Did Tak Hyun-min Step Up to Protect President Moon?

"Don't Pick Fights Over the President" Opposition Sharpens Tone
Opposition: "It's Not Something That Will Be Forgotten, Must Be Humble Before History's Judgment"

President Moon Jae-in is talking with Protocol Secretary Tak Hyun-min ahead of a video summit with Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh at the Blue House video conference room on September 10 last year.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Tak Hyunmin, the Protocol Secretary at the Blue House, sharpened his words while referring to former President Moon Jae-in's post-retirement period, saying, "If anyone picks a fight with (President Moon), I will bite back." Amid the subtle tensions between the outgoing administration and the new government nearing the end of their terms, this remark appears to be a warning against excessive attacks on President Moon, but some argue it rather deepens the conflict.

On April 27, Tak appeared on YTN Radio's 'Park Jihoon's News King' to discuss the process of President Moon's final media interview and his plans after retirement. Regarding the criticism from the People Power Party labeling the interview as 'double standards,' Tak expressed displeasure, saying, "I believe the double standards accusation has already been taken by them."

He continued, "I think (President Moon) will make tremendous efforts to be forgotten after retirement," adding, "Being forgotten does not mean disappearing or going into hiding. It means living a modest daily life. That would be the correct understanding. I sincerely hope the President lives happily in his remaining life after retirement." He also said, "I hope no one picks a fight with the President after his retirement, but if they do, I will bite back. If they don't provoke, I won't bite."

Tak Hyun-min, Protocol Secretary at the Blue House. [Photo by Yonhap News]

Tak has actively issued clarifications and rebuttals through his personal social media accounts whenever controversies related to President Moon or attacks from the opposition arose. He has effectively taken on the role of President Moon's spokesperson. However, there are criticisms that such remarks provide the opposition with ammunition rather than quelling controversies.

Earlier, when news broke about President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol's consideration to relocate his office to Yongsan, Tak posted critical comments on Facebook three times. At the time, he targeted Yoon's side, saying, "If you’re not going to use this place (the Blue House), can’t we just use it? We would gather with good people and manage it well."

The People Power Party issued an official statement expressing regret over Tak's remarks, and some interpreted this as a manifestation of conflict between the old and new powers. In response, President Moon instructed Blue House staff not to mention 'individual opinions' regarding Yoon's pledges or government operation directions.

Critics point out that Tak's personal remarks are at odds with President Moon's wish to live a 'forgotten life' after retirement. On March 30, President Moon attended the 15th Supreme Patriarch Seongpa Daesosa's enthronement ceremony of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism and said, "I will return to nature and live a forgotten, free life."

Opposition voices criticized Tak's remarks as creating unnecessary controversy. Kim Geunsik, a professor of Political Science and Diplomacy at Gyeongnam National University and former head of the People Power Party’s Vision and Strategy Office, said, "Is he saying he will be the bodyguard protecting President Moon after retirement? Being forgotten is not something that just happens; the President must be humble about historical judgment after retirement. It is not President Moon but Tak who should be forgotten," he sharply criticized.

Political commentator Lee Jonghoon said, "It seems he is showing his intention to remain loyal until the end as a presidential secretary. However, as a public official, repeatedly posting personal opinions on social media does not seem appropriate," adding, "There are various forms of loyalty, but in Tak’s case, it is conspicuous and appears to be self-promotion or personal marketing."

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