Reading Material: Transparency in Presidential Office Expenses

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Korean Reading Practice

Reading Material: Transparency in Presidential Office Expenses

Date: September 24, 2025

Introduction

This reading lesson explores the recent revelation that the presidential office has been a frequent customer of a cafe called "I Got Everything" located in the basement of the presidential office building in Yongsan. The article discusses the details of the cafe's usage and its connection to the government.

Vocabulary

Korean Romanization Meaning Example
결제 gyeoljae payment, transaction The presidential office made around 200 payments at the cafe over 3 months.
단골카페 danggokcape regular/frequent customer cafe The "I Got Everything" cafe has become a regular haunt for the presidential office.
대통령실 daetongryeongshil the presidential office The presidential office has decided to publicly disclose information about its spending at the cafe.
발달장애인 baldaljangaein person with developmental disabilities The "I Got Everything" cafe in Yongsan employs 3 people with developmental disabilities.
사용내역 sayongnaelyeok usage/spending details The details of the presidential office's spending at the cafe have been made public.
아이갓에브리씽 aigoteubeulishing I Got Everything (cafe name) The presidential office frequently visited the "I Got Everything" cafe in the basement of their building.
용산 yongsan Yongsan (district in Seoul) The "I Got Everything" cafe is located in the basement of the presidential office building in Yongsan.
정부 jeongbu government The government's spending at the cafe has come under scrutiny.
지체장애인 jicheojangaein person with physical disabilities In addition to the 3 people with developmental disabilities, the cafe also employs 2 people with physical disabilities.
집행내역 jiphoengnaelyeok spending details, execution details The presidential office has publicly disclosed the details of its spending at the cafe.

Reading Text

대통령실이 3개월 간 약 199번 결제한 '단골카페'가 있다는 사실이 알려졌다. 이 카페는 대통령실 용산 청사 지하에 위치한 '아이갓에브리씽'이다.

It has been revealed that the presidential office has been a frequent customer of a cafe, visiting it around 199 times over 3 months. This cafe is called "I Got Everything" and is located in the basement of the presidential office building in Yongsan.

대통령실은 이번에 국민의 알권리와 법원 판결을 존중해 주요 국정 운영경비에 대한 집행정보를 공개했다. 그 결과, 특정업무경비로 1914만1980원을 사용한 것으로 나타났다.

The presidential office has decided to publicly disclose information about its major operational expenses, respecting the public's right to know and a court ruling. As a result, it was revealed that they spent 19,141,980 won on specific business expenses.

이 중 11차례 방문한 '아이갓에브리씽' 카페 사용내역도 공개되었다. 청와대에서 용산으로 대통령실이 이전된 이후 이 카페가 자리를 잡았다.

Among these expenses, the details of their 11 visits to the "I Got Everything" cafe were also disclosed. This cafe has been operating since the presidential office moved from Cheong Wa Dae to Yongsan.

이 카페는 공개 공모 절차를 거쳐 한국지체장애인협회가 선정됐고, 발달 장애인 3명 등 장애인 5명이 채용되었다. 정부의 지원을 받아 운영되고 있다.

This cafe was selected through a public bidding process by the Korea Association of the Physically Disabled, and employs 5 people with disabilities, including 3 with developmental disabilities. It is being operated with government support.

이번 사안은 정부의 공공기관 운영 및 지출 내역 공개에 대한 관심을 불러일으켰다. 특히 대통령실의 단골카페 이용 내역이 주목을 받고 있다.

This issue has sparked interest in the public disclosure of government agency operations and spending details. In particular, the presidential office's frequent visits to its "regular cafe" have drawn attention.

이재명 대통령은 취임 후 정부 투명성 제고를 강조해 왔다. 이번 사안을 통해 실제로 정부의 지출 내역이 공개되는 계기가 되었다.

President Lee Jae-myung has emphasized improving government transparency since taking office. This case has become an opportunity for the government's spending details to be publicly disclosed.

Grammar Points

-을/를 통해(서) through / via

Attached to a noun with object particle to mean 'through' or 'via' — indicates a means or medium.

📖 이번 사안을 통해 실제로 정부의 지출 내역이 공개되는 계기가 되었다. This matter became an opportunity for the government's expenditure details to actually be made public.

✏️ 인터넷을 통해 다양한 정보를 얻을 수 있어요. You can obtain various information through the internet.

Cultural Notes

The disclosure of the presidential office's frequent visits to a cafe located in their own building has sparked public interest and discussion around government transparency. This case highlights the efforts of the current administration to increase openness and accountability in government operations, which aligns with the president's emphasis on improving transparency since taking office.

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📝 Comprehension Questions

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Q1

What is the name of the cafe that the presidential office frequently visited?

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Q2

How many times did the presidential office visit this cafe over a 3-month period?

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Q3

What is the total amount the presidential office spent on specific business expenses during this period?

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Q4

How many people with disabilities are employed at the "I Got Everything" cafe?

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Q5

What is the significance of the presidential office's frequent visits to this cafe becoming public?

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