Japanese media: "There are ghosts at the Prime Minister's Office," Gao Shi told Lee Jae-myung

Recently, Gao Shi visited South Korea, and a "ghost story" between her and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung suddenly drew widespread attention on Japanese and Korean internet platforms.

On May 19, Gao Shi traveled to Lee Jae-myung's hometown of Andong in South Korea, where they held talks.

A scene that occurred during their journey was revealed in a video released by the South Korean presidential office’s YouTube channel.

Gao Shi was taken to "Rokujai," a traditional Korean-style restaurant located within a hanok (traditional Korean house), as she walked through a courtyard surrounded by natural scenery. At that moment, Lee Jae-myung remarked, "The breeze feels really pleasant," to which Gao Shi responded with a smile. Lee continued, "In Korea, this season is perfect—mountain views are beautiful and uplifting."

Then, pointing toward an area surrounded by mountains, he said, "It’s said that ghosts appear there." As dusk had fallen, Gao Shi replied, "In Japan, ghosts do appear late at night," adding, "My residence—the Prime Minister’s Office—is famously haunted." She laughed lightly, saying, "This isn’t something you’d talk about in the dark, haha."

After hearing the translation, Lee Jae-myung looked visibly startled at Gao Shi. She continued, "Long ago, a prime minister was assassinated there." With apparent interest from Lee Jae-myung, she added, "Strange noises happen every night—probably because the building is just too old."

The Japanese translator also mentioned that former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi reportedly suffered greatly from ghostly sounds while living in the Prime Minister’s Office.

The Japanese interpreter explained to Lee Jae-myung: "Koizumi once said, 'While sleeping, I heard the sound of several pairs of military boots approaching—clack-clack-clack—stopping right outside my door. I jumped up and shouted, "Who’s there?" But when I opened the door, no one was there. I immediately called my secretary, but there was no record of anyone entering the residence. That was the first time I truly felt chilled down my spine."

On social media, the video of Gao Shi and Lee Jae-myung sharing their "ghost story" went viral.

In July 2013, then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was asked why he didn’t move into the official residence. He reportedly joked, "I don’t want to see ghosts."

The Prime Minister’s Official Residence was built in 1929 and has served as both the official residence and workplace for Japan’s Prime Ministers. It has long been associated with numerous eerie incidents.

In 1932, Prime Minister Inukai Tsuyoshi was assassinated; in the February 26 Incident of 1936, the younger brother of Prime Minister Keisuke Okada was killed.

In May 2013, Kagaoka Ken, a member of the Democratic Party’s House of Councillors, submitted a written inquiry asking: "Is it true that the spirits from the February 26 Incident are said to haunt the former Prime Minister’s residence?" The Cabinet meeting responded: "We are not aware of the matter you are referring to."

At the time, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga was asked, "You’ve entered the residence many times—have you noticed any signs?" He replied, "If someone says so, I suppose there must be."

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1865882585161738/

Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.