Yoon's Side: "Foreign Minister's Residence Moved to Hannam-dong Official Residence... Kim Geon-hee Visited After Decision"

by Yoo Byeongdon

Published 24 Apr.2022 10:57(KST)

Updated 24 Apr.2022 14:42(KST)

President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol

[Asia Economy Reporters Bu Aeri and Yoo Byungdon] The team of President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol announced on the 24th that the former Foreign Minister's residence in Hannam-dong has been confirmed as the new official residence. However, they denied reports that First Lady Kim Geon-hee had visited the location beforehand.

On the morning of the same day, spokesperson Bae Hyunjin stated at the briefing room of the transition team in Tongui-dong, "Considering various factors such as security, protection, and costs, we have effectively decided to use a new location as the official residence."

Regarding reports that First Lady Kim Geon-hee visited the residence first, spokesperson Bae said, "She visited after the decision was made, and the claim that she went first and influenced the selection or modification of the space is false," adding, "We ask the press to correct the incorrect sequence of events."

Jang Je-won, chief secretary to the president-elect, also met with reporters in front of the transition team office in Tongui-dong and, when asked whether Kim visited the Foreign Minister's residence before it was confirmed as the official residence, replied, "Many aides discussed using the Foreign Minister's residence as the official residence," and refuted, "Such articles should not be published."

The Foreign Minister's residence covers a land area of 14,710 square meters, about twice the size of a soccer field, making it the largest among the residences in Hannam-dong. Notably, it is only about a five-minute drive from the Ministry of National Defense building, where the new presidential office will be located.

Regarding questions about inconveniences caused by traffic control, spokesperson Bae added, "We are already devising the best measures to minimize inconvenience to the general public and citizens, considering morning commute times," and "We are conducting rehearsal drills."