‘Like a graveyard’: S. Korea’s Lee on empty presidential office

Newly elected South Korean President Lee Jae-myung (centre) and his wife Kim Hye-kyung at the presidential inauguration at the National Assembly in Seoul on June 4.PHOTO: AFP

SEOUL – President Lee Jae-myung on June 4 jokingly pointed out the lack of preparation for the handover by officials of the previous administration, saying that there was nothing prepared at the presidential office in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.

“I just came to the Yongsan office, and it’s like a graveyard. There’s nothing, not even an employee to give me something to write. No computers or even printers,” he told reporters on his first day as the new leader of South Korea.

Announcing the first batch of nominations for key members of the administration, he stood where his predecessor Yoon Suk Yeol stood on Dec 3 to declare martial law, which ultimately was his downfall from the leadership position.

READ: South Korea’s new President Lee takes power after election win

Mr Lee joked about how the presidential office, which had ceased function after Parliament impeached Yoon on Dec 14, did not have any system for him to sign off on key documents.

Ms Kang Yu-jung, the spokeswoman of the presidential office, told reporters later that it had been “physically impossible” to conduct work at the presidential office on the first day.

She said the office lacked basic infrastructure and tools, such as an internet connection or even pencils and paper, not to mention that the previous administration did not leave transition instructions for the incoming administration.

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Mr Lee ordered officials formerly dispatched from government branches – who have returned to their original posts since Yoon’s impeachment – to return to their previous posts in the presidential office, Ms Kang said.

During his presidential campaign, Mr Lee said his time at the Yongsan office would just be temporary.

He said the presidential office would soon be relocated to its previous spot in Cheong Wa Dae after the building has been remodelled, and will push for a relocation to Sejong City in the long run.

Local media outlets reported that the presidential office is expected to be moved to Cheong Wa Dae in the next six months. /dl