SEOUL, South Korea: South Korea’s president-elect mentioned the day before today he’s going to relocate his administrative center from the “imperial” Blue Area, in a transfer critics charged is related to his trust in shamanistic non secular practices. Yoon Suk-yeol, who received a good election previous this month, pledged at the marketing campaign path that he would transfer presidential trade out of the Blue Area — house to South Korea’s leaders since 1948.
The previous prosecutor has accused the hilltop headquarters of fostering an “imperial” presidency and undermining conversation with the general public. He isn’t the primary to check out to relocate. Outgoing President Moon Jae-in additionally pledged to transport out “to get rid of the authoritarian presidential tradition” however confronted safety and logistical hurdles.
The ones hurdles stay — the transfer has raised considerations for its reported value of round 50 billion received ($41 million), and since roads in crowded Seoul would should be closed on a daily basis right through the presidential travel.
Yoon’s critics have mentioned his want to transport is tied to his trust in feng shui, a standard non secular observe which stresses the significance of unity between people and nature. The previous prosecutor has been dogged by means of accusations of ties to a shaman, which he has denied. The Blue Area has lengthy been rumoured to foster unhealthy success for its citizens, given the impeachment, corruption trials and imprisonment that experience befallen South Korean presidents.
At a press convention the day before today, Yoon mentioned he’s going to begin to paintings from the defence ministry compound after his inauguration on Might 10. “It’s a troublesome process, however it’s a choice I made for the way forward for the rustic,” Yoon instructed newshounds. Yoon mentioned the defence ministry compound was once provided with the important nationwide safety amenities and would minimise inconvenience in comparison to different conceivable new workplaces.
Addressing the worries across the transfer, he mentioned his choice was once aimed toward making the president extra obtainable and approachable. “If I transfer into the Blue Area compound, I feel it’ll be tougher to be loose from the imperial energy this is symbolic of the Blue Area,” he mentioned.
The Blue Area shall be absolutely open to the general public beginning Might 10, he added. Perched within the mountains of northern Seoul and named for its azure roof, the grounds across the Blue Area have been house to royalty in addition to the colonial governor-general right through Japan’s annexation of Korea. It then become house to South Korea’s president in 1948. – AFP