[Report] Yoon Promised 'Office Relocation'... Listening to Public Sentiment in Gwanghwamun

Yoon Vows to End Blue House Era, Pledges Office Relocation
Yoon Considers Yongsan Defense Ministry Building as Presidential Office... Weighs Against Gwanghwamun

The view of Gwanghwamun in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Heo Midam damdam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] "I can feel the will to communicate with the people," "Considering the costs involved in relocating the office, I wonder if it’s really necessary to move."

As President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol is reportedly considering the Seoul Gwanghwamun Ministry of Foreign Affairs building and the Yongsan Ministry of National Defense building as potential presidential office locations, public opinion is divided. The reason President-elect Yoon is pushing for the relocation of the presidential office appears to be to shed the image of an imperial president and highlight a president who communicates with the people. Some citizens praise his commitment to fulfilling this pledge and voice support. However, there are also many who oppose the pledge due to concerns about security, traffic, and costs.

On the 15th, citizens met near Gwanghwamun expressed various opinions about President-elect Yoon’s pledge to relocate the presidential office. Mr. Yoon, a man in his 70s, said, "I support relocating the presidential office. Moving the office itself signals an attempt to bring about change," adding, "Gwanghwamun especially often hosts rallies and protests. I think this will lead to paying more attention to these voices." He continued, "I also like the attitude of wanting to keep the pledge and feel the will to communicate with the people."

Earlier, in January, President-elect Yoon pledged to dismantle the existing Blue House organizational structure and establish the presidential office at the Gwanghwamun Government Seoul Building. When announcing his political pledges, he said, "If I become president, a completely new concept of the presidential office (Blue House) with a different organizational structure and working method will emerge." The pledge book also described the current Blue House structure as "a miniature palace from the royal dynasty era."

On the 15th, citizens are walking near Gwanghwamun in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Heo Midam damdam@

President-elect Yoon specifically mentioned ▲establishing the presidential office at the Gwanghwamun Government Seoul Building ▲abolishing the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs ▲abolishing the Second Office, promising a major overhaul of the presidential office. The aim is to eliminate the drawbacks of the imperial presidential system, dismantle the Blue House, and transform it into a practical strategic organization. It also includes the intention to increase direct communication with the people. If realized, the existing Blue House site will be opened to the public.

However, there are also many opposing opinions citing costs and other issues. Mr. Lee, a man in his 20s working near Gwanghwamun, said, "The intention to communicate is good, but I wonder if it’s really necessary to move the presidential office. Wouldn’t it be enough to work hard at the Blue House? The Blue House can also communicate with the people," adding, "The cost of moving the office will be at least several billion won, right? Also, Gwanghwamun usually has heavy traffic, so I’m worried it might get worse."

Some believe that President-elect Yoon’s future actions are more important than the office location. Mr. Kim, a self-employed man in his 50s who runs a barbecue restaurant near Gwanghwamun, said, "It’s not important where the president is, but how well he does his job," adding, "The location of the presidential office doesn’t seem that important." He continued, "It’s good to see the effort to keep the pledge, but from various perspectives, we need to first consider whether moving the office is efficient."

On the 15th, citizens are walking briskly amid construction at Gwanghwamun Square. Photo by Heo Midam damdam@

Previously, relocating the presidential office has been considered since the late President Kim Young-sam’s era but was repeatedly thwarted due to security and protection issues. In particular, former President Moon Jae-in considered using the Government Seoul Building as well as sites within Gyeongbokgung Palace such as the National Palace Museum and the National Folk Museum, but ultimately gave up due to security concerns.

Meanwhile, President-elect Yoon has reiterated his determination to relocate the presidential office. On February 15, the first day of the official presidential campaign, at the launch event held at Cheonggye Plaza in Seoul, he said, "We will end the era of the Blue House ruling over the people and open the Gwanghwamun era where we walk together with the people."

Spokesperson Kim Eun-hye also emphasized President-elect Yoon’s intention to relocate the office during a briefing at the People Power Party headquarters on the 11th, stating, "The move of the presidential office to the Gwanghwamun Government Complex has already been announced as one of the political reform measures."

Meanwhile, it is reported that President-elect Yoon is seriously considering relocating the presidential office to the Ministry of National Defense building. Initially, the Gwanghwamun building was considered, but due to unresolved security issues, the Ministry of National Defense building has emerged as an alternative.

If the presidential office is located in Gwanghwamun, the Prime Minister’s residence in Samcheong-dong is likely to be used as the presidential residence. If located in the Ministry of National Defense building, the Army Chief of Staff’s residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, or the residences of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and National Defense are likely candidates for the presidential residence.