Mixed reactions to Yoon’s relocation of presidential office
Korea HeraldOct 29, 2021
The Facts
South Korean president-elect Yoon Suk Yeol has announced that he intends to move his presidential office to the Defense Ministry complex in Seoul.
This fulfills one of his main campaign promises, as the mountainside presidential palace, known as the Blue House, has been criticized for cutting South Korean presidents off from the public.
The Spin
Narrative A
This will help solve the lack of interaction between the president and both the public and the secretaries. The Blue House has become an imperial palace and symbolizes absolute power; the move will return the power to the people.
Narrative B
Yoon should've done a better job of gauging public opinion.The costs – in terms of both money and government disruption – will likely outweigh his fulfilling a campaign promise by making a symbolic gesture.