Choi Jae-sung "Abolishing the Ministry of Gender Equality Because of Jamboree? ... The Responsibility Lies with the Presidential Office"

As the Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree event held in Saemangeum, Jeonbuk, faces a crisis due to controversies, former Chief Secretary for Political Affairs Choi Jae-sung dismissed former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok's call for the abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, the main government agency in charge, as a "separate issue."

On the 7th, Choi appeared on KBS's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs' and said, "There are rumors that because this government pledged to abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, the ministry lacks power, and that's why this is happening. They say things like this. So it's the Presidential Office's responsibility," he stated.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding the Presidential Office's stance that "the Jamboree was hosted and prepared by the previous administration," he criticized, "Blaming the previous government turned it into a political dispute," and called the blame on the previous government "almost a rumor or a curse ritual."

Ultimately, he said the responsibility lies with the current government. He said, "If there were problems during the process after this government took office and during preparation, if they didn't know, then this government is incompetent, and if there were problems, they should have taken measures during the past 1 year and 3 months," adding, "Saying there were problems but doing nothing is a bit excessive, but it’s like holding a curse ritual wishing the Jamboree to fail."

He continued, "If problems had been discovered within 1 year and 3 months, they could have been sufficiently addressed, and the Moon Jae-in administration handed over the related facilities with a 37% completion rate, didn't they?" adding, "Then 1 year and 3 months is enough time to fix it."

He also pointed out that the Presidential Office is responsible for the poor management of the event. He said, "It’s the same as during the Pyeongchang Olympics, a nationally supported event. Even if it’s an event 100% managed by local governments, daily reports are received," and added, "For example, when I was Chief Secretary for Political Affairs, the office handled local government affairs. So these things are reported daily from 1 or 2 years in advance, and especially as the event approaches, the Blue House becomes very busy."

He emphasized that during the past Pyeongchang Olympics, the Blue House even prepared large heaters and six types of cold-weather gear for spectators to prepare for the cold. He said, "The Blue House even investigates the causes of egg price increases and devises countermeasures. So the President’s work involves receiving daily political and situation reports, which is no joke," and concluded, "But to say they knew nothing for 1 year and 3 months? That’s why it’s the Presidential Office’s responsibility."

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