Democratic Party Criticizes Yoon's Inauguration as 'Qin Shi Huang's Enthronement'... Transition Team Urges "Stop Obstruction"

Expansion of Old and New Power Conflict with Cheongwadae Relocation, Complete Inspection Abolition Law, and Inauguration Ceremony

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] The Presidential Transition Committee on the 28th rebutted the Democratic Party of Korea, which has been escalating criticism over the decision to hold the presidential inauguration dinner at the Shilla Hotel, saying, "Stop obstructive political strife and focus on matters for the people and national interest." The old and new powers, which have been in conflict over the Blue House relocation and the "complete prosecution reform" law, appear to be expanding the battleground to President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol's inauguration ceremony.

The Transition Committee's Blue House Relocation Task Force (TF) issued a statement in the afternoon, saying, "The presidential inauguration ceremony and dinner are official events of the Republic of Korea attended by foreign heads of state and dignitaries representing various countries. They serve to elevate Korea's national prestige and mark the first occasion for the newly inaugurated president to step onto the global diplomatic stage."

The TF emphasized, "The inauguration ceremony and dinner should not be a subject of political strife but rather a starting point and opportunity for Korea to make a new leap onto the world stage."

It continued, "However, the Democratic Party is neglecting efforts to enhance Korea's status and future advancement, instead focusing solely on political objectives by disputing the already decided 'dinner venue,' leading the way in damaging Korea's national prestige. Despite knowing that the Blue House and its facilities, which are set to return to the people on May 10, cannot be used as the dinner venue, the Democratic Party is advocating for the use of the Blue House's Yeongbingwan (State Guest House) and engaging in inflammatory politics," strongly criticizing the party.

It further pointed out, "It is suspicious whether their intention is to reclaim the Blue House from the people."

The TF also stated, "The Democratic Party's obstruction of the government launch is not limited to this. In March, the current government and the Democratic Party opposed even the minimal budget necessary for relocating the presidential office being proposed as a supplementary budget, blocking the Blue House's supplementary budget proposal twice, significantly delaying the relocation process. This was a delay purely for obstruction."

It added, "When public criticism surged, they held a temporary cabinet meeting to avoid responsibility and cut even the minimal budget. Recently, they have been attacking with claims such as 'the office relocation is inappropriate' and 'put the Blue House relocation to a national referendum.' If the government and ruling party had intended to cooperate normally on the office relocation, malicious and baseless claims about a luxurious event at the State Guest House would never have started," it emphasized.

Shilla Hotel State Guesthouse

After the Transition Committee announced that President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol's inauguration dinner would be held at the Shilla Hotel's State Guest House, the Democratic Party criticized it as a "luxurious inauguration" and likened it to the "coronation of Emperor Qin Shi Huang."

Yoon Ho-jung, the Democratic Party's emergency committee chairman, criticized at the emergency committee meeting the day before, saying, "This is not the coronation of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, yet the extravagant inauguration of President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol deepens the people's sighs." He added, "The dazzling lights of the fully rented luxury hotel deepen the people's worries, and when 558 premium vehicles block the roads, the public resentment will only grow. Now is not the time for a lavish inauguration party," he pointed out.

The Yoon camp stated that the inauguration budget of 3.3 billion KRW was already agreed upon and passed by the National Assembly before the presidential election, and considering inflation, it is not a large amount. Since 2000, the inauguration budgets of past presidents were 2.034 billion KRW for former President Roh Moo-hyun in 2003, 2.479 billion KRW for former President Lee Myung-bak in 2008, and 3.1 billion KRW for former President Park Geun-hye in 2013.

President Moon Jae-in, who assumed office without a transition committee following former President Park's resignation, held a simple inauguration ceremony at the National Assembly and omitted the inauguration dinner.

In particular, the Transition Committee explained that most of the dinner costs are for food ingredients and labor, and including the rental fee for the State Guest House, it costs only 500,000 KRW more than holding it at the Blue House. Park Joo-sun, chairman of the Presidential Inauguration Preparation Committee, appeared on CBS Radio's Kim Hyun-jung News Show the day before in response to the Democratic Party's fierce criticism, saying, "You can't hold a dinner attended by foreign heads of state or dignitaries at a street food stall or tent village," and "Other presidential events have also been held at hotel state guest houses."

He also added, "If the Blue House State Guest House is used, it must be closed off from 2 p.m. due to security for the president and state guests. This would diminish the impact of the Blue House opening event," and "Even if the dinner is held at the Blue House State Guest House, the food must be brought in from a hotel, so the cost difference is minimal."

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