Presidential Security Service cancels ‘billion-dollar scientific security’ event after ruling party’s crushing defeat in general election

It was confirmed that the Presidential Security Service, which sparked controversy over the so-called ‘silent’ security, had canceled an event introducing security activities that was scheduled to be held in May with a budget of hundreds of millions of won, the day after the ruling party’s crushing defeat in the general election.

On the 11th, the Ministry of National Security requested the Seoul Regional Procurement Service to cancel the bid for ‘security activity introduction event service’.

Previously, on the 1st, the Ministry of National Security posted an emergency bidding notice on the National Comprehensive Electronic Procurement website of Nara Market under the title ‘Security Activities Introduction Event Service’, but withdrew the event plan one day before the bidding start date (12th).

The 11th was the day after the general election, when the crushing defeat of the ruling party was confirmed.

The Secret Service originally planned to hold an event with 100 related organizations and security forces and 100 security officials from the Secret Service with a budget of 140 million won under the theme of ‘advanced scientific security.’

The Ministry of National Security wrote in the purpose of the event, “We will solidify our status as a state-of-the-art security agency based on public trust through this multi-party event.”

He also said, “It is an event to introduce security activities to promote the ‘guardianship of care’ and ‘guardianship of openness’ that guarantee the absolute safety of the president and are responsible for the safety of citizens.”

However, given that the event was planned amidst controversy over so-called ‘excessive security’ and ‘sophisticated security’ by silencing Progressive Party lawmaker Kang Seong-hee and KAIST graduates and forcing them out of the event venue, the opposition party said it was absurd to promote it instead of apologizing. Criticism poured in.