Controversy Over Feng Shui Expert's Official Residence Visit Sparks Renewed 'Shamanism Dispute' Between Ruling and Opposition Parties

Decision-Making and Controversy Over Astrologer Involvement
Debate Also Surrounds Possible Violation of Military Base Protection Act

Last year, during the selection process of the presidential residence, suspicions arose that a feng shui expert had visited the official residence, sparking another round of 'shamanism frame' disputes between the ruling and opposition parties. This came after the police, who had been investigating allegations of the fortune teller 'Cheongong' interfering in the presidential residence selection, discovered evidence that Baek Jae-kwon, an adjunct professor at Cyber Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, not Cheongong, visited the Army Chief of Staff's official residence in March last year.

The Democratic Party of Korea pointed out that the problem lies in a fortune teller's involvement in national decision-making processes. On the 24th, Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Byung-joo said on YTN Radio, "It is problematic that a fortune teller and an unauthorized civilian participated in national decision-making," adding, "Personally, I do not want to criticize anyone for consulting their Four Pillars of Destiny or feng shui, but having a fortune teller involved in state affairs is a serious issue."

Kim urged the presidential office to clarify the facts, stating, "The presidential office must clearly explain why that person visited, how the advisory fees were handled, and how the decision-making process unfolded."

Democratic Party lawmaker Park Sung-joon appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' the same day and said, "It is natural to form advisory committees to hear experts' opinions and document them for use in the public system," but added, "The public system requires openness, transparency, and fairness, and conducting such activities secretly without anyone knowing means the public system has collapsed."

This appears to criticize Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop's response in February at the National Assembly's National Defense Committee, where he said there were "no individual entry records" regarding civilian access to the Army Chief of Staff's residence and the Army Seoul office.

October 24 last year, the Presidential Residence in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

On the other hand, the People Power Party defended the presidential office, stating that "Professor Baek is the top authority in the field of feng shui," while counterattacking by noting that former President Moon Jae-in's spouse Kim Jung-sook and Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung and his spouse also met with Professor Baek.

Spokesperson Kim Min-soo claimed in a statement on the 22nd, "Professor Baek holds a master's degree in feng shui and a doctorate in future prediction studies, and is regarded as the highest authority in feng shui. He has provided numerous consultations on feng shui," adding, "It is well known that he has advised not only former President Moon Jae-in's wife Kim Jung-sook but also Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung and his spouse on feng shui."

They also argued that although Professor Baek provided advice, he did not influence the final selection of the residence.

On the 24th, People Power Party Supreme Council member Kim Byung-min explained on SBS Radio, "Professor Baek toured the Army Chief of Staff's residence and it was revealed that he did not advise that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' residence was unsuitable. It is also untrue that the residence was moved based on his advice," adding, "It was merely advice from various experts, including a feng shui expert, and his opinions were not actually reflected in the residence choice."

Separately from the political dispute, Professor Baek's access to military protected facilities as a civilian is also expected to become an issue. Former Defense Ministry spokesperson Boo Seung-chan appeared on MBC Radio that day and said, "Hannam-dong, where the Chief of Staff's residence is located, was a special zone housing key national security figures such as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Marine Corps Commander, the Defense Minister, and the Foreign Minister," adding, "Under the Military Facilities Protection Act, if a civilian entered without following formal procedures, not only the civilian but also related personnel would be subject to punishment."

According to Article 9 of the Military Bases and Military Facilities Protection Act, unauthorized entry into military protected facilities is punishable by imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million won.

At the time of the residence selection in March last year, the Army Seoul office was a military protected area, but the Army Chief of Staff's residence was not designated as such until August of the same year.

Former spokesperson Boo emphasized the need for further investigation regarding access to the Army Seoul office. According to a police announcement on the 21st, evidence was found that Professor Baek visited the Army Chief of Staff's residence along with Yoon Han-hong, a People Power Party lawmaker and former head of the Blue House relocation task force, and Kim Yong-hyun, the head of the security office and deputy team leader, but access to the Seoul office has not yet been clarified.

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