On the 10th, the President’s Office refuted the opposition’s claim that the US intelligence agency wiretapping the Presidential Office was related to the relocation of the Oval Office, saying, “The security and safety of the National Security Council (NSC) is stronger in Yongsan than in Blue House.”
A key official in the presidential office met with reporters at the presidential office in Yongsan this afternoon and said, “We have been perfectly prepared for the security issue of the building since we moved (the presidential office to Yongsan).”
This official said, “I will always open my ears and accept the reasonable arguments of the opposition party, but there are too many things that are far from the facts in this case.” It is understood that there was no problem,” he added.
“The bunker structure in the Blue House was slightly protruding above the ground. As for the security and safety of the place where the president works, here (Yongsan) is safer.”
When the New York Times (NYT) reported that the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) wiretaped the office of the president of Korea, the opposition argued that the process of relocating the office of the president may have been a problem.
Members of the National Assembly’s National Defense, Foreign Affairs, Unification, and Intelligence Committees belonging to the Democratic Party held a press conference at the National Assembly this morning and said, “When the President’s office was proposed to be moved to the Ministry of National Defense without any master plan, it was not because the NSC system was set up in a hurry and security measures were neglected, and this happened. We need a clear fact-finding investigation,” he raised his voice.
Regarding this incident, an official from the Office of the President said, “What has been reported in the American media right now is not a confirmed fact.” Finding out the facts is the first priority.”
“It is necessary to pay attention to the situation in which the report came out,” he said. “Most of the materials allegedly leaked are related to the Russia-Ukraine war. In the United States, it is also raised that some of the leaked data may have been modified or manipulated. It cannot be ruled out that the intentions of certain forces may be involved.”
He added, “After the situation is assessed by both countries, we plan to request reasonable measures from the US side if necessary.”
The official cautioned against hasty predictions and the opposition party’s offensive, saying, “If there is a force trying to shake the alliance by exaggerating or distorting this incident ahead of the Korea-US summit, it will be resisted by many people.”
In response to a question to the effect of asking the US for an answer regarding wiretapping and wiretapping, the official said, “If you look at the four principles I mentioned, you will know how our government will behave.” As for whether the South Korean side, not the US, is taking the initiative in fact-checking, he said, “Efforts are being made on both sides.”
When asked about the possibility that the details of the factual relationship will be notified ahead of President Yoon Seok-yeol’s visit to the United States, he said, “If there is a major pending issue between the two countries, we will of course have to talk about it.”
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.