Yoon Administration Advocating Austerity Budget, Yet Increases Presidential Security Office Funding by Double Digits for Second Consecutive Year

Next Year's Presidential Security Service Budget '134.1 Billion KRW'
Increased by 20% This Year, 15% More Next Year
26.2 Billion KRW Allocated for National VIP and State Guest Protection
"In Response to Global Security Threats"

On April 12 last year, President Yoon Seok-yeol, then president-elect, visited Seomun Market in Jung-gu, Daegu. Security guards are tightly surrounding the president-elect, who is raising his hand to greet the citizens who came out to welcome him.

Since the launch of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, the budget for the Presidential Security Service has been increasing sharply. Despite a sound fiscal policy, the budget has recorded double-digit growth rates every year. This is due to changes in the president's philosophy on security, increased security threats, the relocation to the Yongsan Government Complex, and political circumstances.

According to the Ministry of Economy and Finance on the 22nd, the government has allocated 134.1 billion won for the Presidential Security Service budget next year. This is an increase of 17.8 billion won (15.3%) from this year's budget of 116.3 billion won. Last year, the Presidential Security Service budget also increased by 19.3 billion won (19.9%) from 96.9 billion won the previous year.

Radically Changed Security Policy... 26.2 Billion Won for National Figure Security, 22.4 Billion Won for Facility Improvements

Looking at the detailed budget, 26.2 billion won will be spent on security activities for national figures and state guests. This is an increase of 9.3 billion won (55%) from 16.9 billion won the previous year. The budget for improving security equipment and facilities also increased by 5.4 billion won (31.7%) from 17 billion won to 22.4 billion won. 3.9 billion won will be invested in informatization of security operations, and 2.6 billion won has been allocated for the operation of the Security Safety Education Center. Five hundred million won each will be spent on the scientific advancement of security expenses and the development of intelligent manned and unmanned integrated security safety technologies.

The personnel quota for next year has been set at 745, an increase of 43 (6.1%) from this year's 702. The amount allocated for personnel expenses in next year's budget is 61.7 billion won, up 3.5 billion won (6.0%).

The growth rate of the Presidential Security Service budget is noticeably steep. Next year's total budget is 656.9 trillion won, with a growth rate of only 2.8%, the lowest since 2005 when total expenditure statistics began. While all ministries have suppressed budget growth rates under a sound fiscal policy, the Presidential Security Service has recorded double-digit growth for two consecutive years.

This is interpreted as an effect of the changed security philosophy for national figures, including the president. Former President Moon Jae-in emphasized "low-key security, open security" early in his term. This approach was reflected in the budget. In the first budget plan prepared after taking office in 2018, 89.4 billion won was allocated to the Presidential Security Service, 2.2 billion won less than the previous year. In 2019, it decreased again to 88.6 billion won, marking two consecutive years of decline.

On the other hand, President Yoon mentioned "smart security." On March 20 last year, when he was president-elect, during a briefing on the relocation of the presidential office, he said, "Security technology has become quite advanced," and added, "We plan to change the security system so that there is no inconvenience in getting closer to the people." To realize this, it is necessary to equip AI CCTV, X-ray, drones, robots, etc., which inevitably requires more budget.

Three Former Presidents Under Security Protection... "Responding to Various Threats"

The global increase in threats to national figures has also had a significant impact. In particular, the assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe by gunshot during a campaign rally on July 8 last year was decisive. Although it is difficult to directly compare the methods and levels of security for national figures between Korea and Japan, there is concern about copycat crimes.

On March 24 last year, former President Park Geun-hye was surrounded by bodyguards after a soju bottle suddenly flew toward her while she was delivering a national address at Dalseong-gun, Daegu.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

A Presidential Security Service official explained, "The increase in next year's budget is due to the increase in personnel expenses from expanding the personnel quota and the allocation of security and guard budgets related to the Korea-Africa Summit," adding, "The need to respond to various security threats occurring worldwide also contributed to the budget increase."

The relocation of the presidential office from the Blue House to the Yongsan Government Complex is also a factor increasing the security budget. Since the building was not originally constructed for presidential security, security-related facilities must be established at the Yongsan Complex. A Ministry of Economy and Finance official said, "Detailed projects related to presidential security cannot be disclosed," but added, "There was an essential budget demand related to facilities."

The political situation is also connected. The Presidential Security Service is responsible for the security of not only the incumbent but also former presidents. Currently, the number of security subjects has increased due to the bail of former President Lee Myung-bak, the pardon of former President Park Geun-hye, and the retirement of former President Moon. In particular, the area around former President Moon's residence in Pyeongsan Village, Yangsan City, has frequent rallies and protests, leading to an expansion of the security zone.

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