Presidential Office: "We Will Strengthen Welfare for the Vulnerable and Build a Strong National Defense"

National Assembly Steering Committee Holds Audit of the Presidential Office
Key Issues Include Personnel Verification and Allegations of School Violence Pressure Involving Kim Seung-hee's Children

The Presidential Office announced on the 7th that it will strengthen welfare for the vulnerable and build a strong national defense to overcome the increasing security and economic instability caused by North Korea's advancement in nuclear and missile development, the war in Ukraine, and the clashes between Israel and the Palestinian armed faction Hamas.

Kim Dae-gi, Chief Secretary of the Presidential Office, stated in his opening remarks at the National Assembly's Operating Committee's audit of the Presidential Office, "Although there are signs of economic recovery such as improved export performance, the global high interest rates and high inflation persist," adding, "In addition to the war between Ukraine and Russia, the recent armed conflict between Israel and Hamas has occurred, creating a situation of significant global instability."

Kim continued, "Many difficulties are expected for the common people who are relatively more vulnerable to economic uncertainties and risks," and said, "The Presidential Office will maintain a special vigilance and do its utmost to protect the common people and socially vulnerable groups thoroughly," explaining, "In particular, we will listen more closely to the voices from the field of people's livelihoods and work together with each government ministry to promptly resolve urgent issues on the ground."

He also requested the National Assembly's cooperation with government policies. Kim said, "To quickly overcome the current complex crisis and faithfully implement the national agenda promised to the people, please actively cooperate so that next year's budget and livelihood bills can be promptly processed in the National Assembly."

Kim Dae-gi, Chief of Staff to the President, is taking the witness oath at the National Assembly Steering Committee's audit on the Presidential Secretariat, National Security Office, and Presidential Security Service held on the 7th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Cho Tae-yong, Director of the National Security Office, mentioned in his opening remarks regarding responses to North Korea's repeated provocations, "Since the launch of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, we have been building a robust security system with strong national defense that instills fear in the enemy and confidence in the people." Specifically, he introduced the Korean-style three-axis system to respond to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, the establishment of the Drone Operations Command, and the Strategic Command to be newly established next year.

Regarding sales diplomacy to overcome the export crisis, he said, "During the one and a half years since President Yoon took office, we have conducted 142 summit diplomacy meetings with 93 countries, attracting $4.29 billion in foreign investment, and in the Middle East alone, we have led $79.2 billion in exports and orders," emphasizing, "The Yoon Seok-yeol administration will go anywhere in the world where the people and businesses are thriving."

During the audit, various inquiries are expected, including allegations of preferential treatment involving First Lady Kim Geon-hee's family related to the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway, interference in the investigation of the late Corporal Chae's case, the relocation of General Hong Beom-do's bust within the Korea Military Academy, and school violence involving the child of former Presidential Protocol Secretary Kim Seung-hee. Additionally, confrontations between ruling and opposition parties are expected over issues such as the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, the Itaewon disaster, and the disruption of the Saemangeum Jamboree.

However, except for institutional witnesses, general witnesses will not appear. Earlier, the ruling and opposition parties failed to agree on general witnesses for the audit on the 31st of last month. The Democratic Party of Korea requested witnesses including former Protocol Secretary Kim Seung-hee, Personnel Secretary Lee Won-mo, Public Service Discipline Secretary Lee Si-won, former Anti-Corruption Commission Chair Jeon Hyun-hee, former administrative officer Park Kyung-ro related to audit controversies, and Marine Corps 1st Division Commander Im Seong-geun and Artillery 7th Battalion Commander related to Corporal Chae's death case. However, the People Power Party opposed, citing the potential for political conflict, resulting in the rejection of witness adoption.

Accordingly, presidential office officials selected by both ruling and opposition parties, including Kim Dae-gi, Chief Secretary of the President, Lee Gwan-seop, Chief of National Planning, Lee Jin-bok, Chief Secretary for Political Affairs, Kang Seung-gyu, Chief Secretary for Civil Society, Kim Eun-hye, Chief Secretary for Public Relations, Choi Sang-mok, Chief Secretary for Economy, Ahn Sang-hoon, Chief Secretary for Social Affairs, and Bok Doo-gyu, Personnel Planning Officer, appeared as institutional witnesses. Cho Tae-yong, Director of the National Security Office, Kim Tae-hyo, First Deputy Director of the National Security Office, and Kim Jong-cheol, Deputy Director of the Presidential Security Service, also appeared before the National Assembly.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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