Book on Kim's meals cost jobs for 2

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Book on Kim's meals cost jobs for 2

A book written by a former Blue House dietician on President Kim Dae-jung's eating habits is creating a stir. The author and a Blue House aide were forced to resign over the book.

The dietician, Jeon Ji-yeong, recently published "What do People Eat at the Blue House?" detailing the president's and first lady's favorite dishes. The president reportedly likes corn and, not surprisingly, kimchi. The first lady, Lee Hee-ho, enjoys cooked gingko berries so much that she eats them almost every day.

Ms. Jeon was forced to resign, a Blue House official said, for revealing classified information. Kim Un-hyeong, a blue house official who helped plan the book, was also forced to quit. In his resignation letter, Mr. Kim reportedly said that he was planning to quit and go to work for the independent lawmaker, Chung Mong-joon anyway.

"Ms. Jeon arranged the menu for the staff cafeteria and had nothing to do with the president's diet," said a Blue House official, who asked not to be identified. One official said that Ms. Jeon mentioned classified information in her book such as the size of presidential bodyguards, locations of security facilities and preparations of Blue House events. "The kitchen is thrown into utter confusion if the president says he wants to eat beef soup with rice instead of bean-paste soup," Ms. Jeon wrote.

The Blue House reportedly considered asking that sales of the book be banned. Police will investigate the accusation that Ms. Jeon and Mr. Kim leaked classified information.

The controversy is boosting the sales of the book, and the publisher is already considering a second printing. "Orders are pouring in after the report that the author and planner resigned Wednesday," said an official of the book's publisher, Hyunjae Pub.

Kyobo Book Center, the largest book retailer in Korea, reported that sales of the book doubled from Tuesday to Wednesday. Another large bookseller, Youngpoong Book Store, said that it was also starting to move copies. The publisher said they would focus on increasing sales of the book and added they see no problem with revealing what the president likes to eat.

by Kim Chong-hyuk

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