文 Official “Something I expressed my heart in a small way”
It has been confirmed that former President Moon Jae-in personally sent Lunar New Year gifts to his close aides, including former Blue House staff and ministers. It is the first time that former President Moon, who retired in May of last year, has sent holiday gifts to his aides.
According to the political world, former President Moon recently sent dried fish sets of local specialties from his hometown, Geoje Island, to his aides. The gift is said to have used eco-friendly packaging in the form of small packages of six types of dried fish, such as anchovies, kelp, and dried bonito. A person who served as a minister in the Moon Jae-in administration said in a phone call with The Dong-A Ilbo, “I received a gift from former President Moon Jae-in.” It is said that a card containing the signatures of former President Moon and his wife Kim Jung-sook and a short New Year’s greeting was enclosed. An official from former President Moon said, “It was a small gift sent with gratitude to the ministers and Blue House staff who worked in the former government.”
Some interpret that the gift from former President Moon has a political meaning. A representative from the Democratic Party said, “It costs a lot to send gifts, but it is unusual for a former president who is not in office to send holiday gifts.” I don’t think so,” he said. He continued, “Former President Moon said, ‘I want to be forgotten’ following leaving office, but in fact, I wonder if he does not want to be forgotten.” On the other hand, a member of the Democratic Party, who is regarded as an aide to former President Moon, dismissed it as “there is no political meaning,” saying, “What political meaning can there be in anchovy gifts?”
Reporter Eunji Kim eunji@donga.com
