[Aju News DB]
South Korean President Moon Jae-in declared an unprecedented economy drive at his office and residence, saying he would not waste taxpayers' money on family meals, private activities, and personal commodities such as toothpaste.
The president's office said it was ordered to cut down on this year's special funds and save 5.3 billion won that would be funneled into job creation and marginalized citizens.
Moon would take the initiative and set an example for thrift and saving by using his own money on private activities and items. "I will use my salary to cover expenses on my family living," he said, calling for a clear line between official and private expenses like family meals and feed for pets.
Of about 16.1 billion won (14 million US dollars) earmarked for this year's special presidential activities, 12.6 billion won was left unused by jailed ex-president Park Geun-hye, who has been dogged by allegations that she and her presidential staff spent too much on private activities.
Moon's office plans to use 7.3 billion won by the end of this year and save 5.3 billion won that will be used to create jobs for young adults and support the marginalized. The total amount of funds for next year's special presidential activities would be cut to 11.1 billion won.
The former human right lawyer has promised to improve communication with the public by relocating the presidential "Blue House", a sprawling complex of residence and office buildings used by South Korea's head of state and aides, to transform it into a public park.
The relocation means that the total number of Blue House personnel including housemaids would be cut drastically.
Lim Chang-won = cwlim34@ajunews.com
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
