Bae Hyun-jin asks why Lee still lives in residence his party once called 'palace of excess'

People Power Party lawmaker Bae Hyun-jin has questioned why President Lee Jae Myung continues to live at the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul — a facility the Democratic Party of Korea once derided as a "palace of excess."

Speaking at a plenary session of the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee on Wednesday, Bae told Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Choi Hwi-young that Lee had said during the last presidential election that "it would be a real waste to spend money relocating government offices," yet approved 25.9 billion won ($18.7 million) in contingency funds for a return to Cheong Wa Dae just six days after taking office. "And yet, more than a year later, he is still using the Hannam-dong residence that both the Democratic Party and the president himself once called a 'palace of excess,'" she said.

Bae added that a review of the ministry's audit documents showed that more than 11.5 billion won had been spent on maintaining Cheong Wa Dae facilities between 2023 and 2025, including repairs to roof tiles and pillars at the Cheong Wa Dae residence. "Why has the Cheong Wa Dae residence been under repair and renovation for more than a year? Are they doing a full remodel?" she asked.

Minister Choi said routine facility maintenance and security-driven remodeling were separate matters.

Bae pressed further, saying there was talk that Lee had "gone in, found the hinoki wood bath, dressing room and screen golf facility all to his liking, and is deliberately staying put" — despite having once criticized the residence. She urged the minister to clarify the government's position as its spokesperson.

Choi replied that what a government spokesperson could announce and what the Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson could announce were different things.

Bae also demanded that the ministry submit detailed records of all maintenance and repair work carried out at Cheong Wa Dae and the residence over the past three years, as well as information on whether President Lee and the first lady had visited the Cheong Wa Dae residence before moving in.