Mystery Structure at the Presidential Office, Ultimately Demolished
It has been confirmed that five concrete pillars that were installed within the grounds of the presidential office, raising numerous suspicions, were demolished last weekend.
According to a report by Hankyoreh on the 12th, the Presidential Security Service judged the five concrete tubes buried in the Yongsan presidential office grounds to be "security threat facilities" and took action to demolish them.
The problematic structure consisted of five concrete tubes (reinforced concrete pipes) about 3 meters long, located outside the Fine Grass outdoor garden at the Yongsan presidential office. Of these, approximately 40-50 cm was exposed above ground, while the remainder was buried underground.
The distance and shape of the buried tubes were irregular, and it was reported that the interiors of the tubes were vacant without any specific objects.
Notably, these tubes were installed vertically, unlike typical drainage facilities, which are usually installed horizontally.
Origin and Spread of Suspicion
The suspicions surrounding the structure were publicized through a press conference held in April of last year by Pastor Choi Jae-young, who had previously disclosed the giving of luxury bags (Dior bags) to First Lady Kim Geon-hee, and former Rep. Lee Sung-man.
During that time, Pastor Choi compared satellite images of the presidential office from November 2022 and April 2023.
Pastor Choi claimed, "In the satellite image from November 2022, five white structures that cannot be found appear in the satellite image from April 2023," stating, "The installation of structures with unknown purposes could symbolize the shamanistic background of the five directional deities."
The five vertically installed structures resemble stakes driven in for ceremonial purposes.
In response to Pastor Choi's claims, the Yoon Suk-yeol presidential office explained that the facilities were installed for "drainage purposes."
However, drainage experts raised questions about this explanation.
An official from a drainage facility construction company told Hankyoreh, "It is rare to install drainage tubes vertically outdoors; drainage pipes are naturally buried horizontally."
Critics argue that it is difficult to understand how a facility that was claimed to be installed for "drainage purposes" in 2023 was deemed "security threat facilities" and removed in just two years.
The suspicion surrounding these structures has further intensified following revelations during special prosecutor investigations into the relationship between First Lady Kim Geon-hee and shaman Jeon Sung-bae.
Kim Geon-hee is known to have believed in shamanism, leading to ongoing speculation about the potential ceremonial purpose of the installation of these structures.
YouTube 'Voice of Seoul'
Image source: youtube 'Voice of Seoul', Former President Yoon Suk-yeol and wife / News1
