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The Ministry of National Defense compound (top) in Yongsan, Seoul, and Cheong Wa Dae in Jongno, Seoul. (Yonhap) |
More than half of South Koreans are against President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol's plan to move the presidential office out of Cheong Wa Dae, while some 44 percent support the idea, a poll showed Wednesday.
According to the poll of 500 adults, conducted by pollster Realmeter on Tuesday, 53.7 percent said the presidential office should remain at Cheong Wa Dae, and 44.6 percent said they back the relocation plan.
On Sunday, Yoon announced his decision to move the presidential office from Cheong Wa Dae to what is now the defense ministry building in Yongsan district, central Seoul, saying he wants the top office to move out of a "symbol of imperial power" and get closer to the people.
But the relocation push has hit a snag, as the office of President Moon Jae-in expressed opposition, saying such a hurried relocation could leave a security vacuum at a time of rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
By age group, people in their 40s opposed the relocation plan most with 62.2 percent, followed by those in their 20s with 59.9 percent and citizens in their 50s with 56.1 percent.
But when it comes to people aged 70 or older, 61.7 percent supported the relocation.
The survey had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence.
