'Presidential Office' in Yongsan... President-Elect Yoon to Decide Soon

Completion Possibly Within This Week
Security, Communication, and Protocol Ease Seem to Solidify Decision
Somewhat Far Travel Distance from Hannam-dong Residence
Commute Traffic Conditions Pose Obstacle

[Asia Economy Reporters Hyunju Lee and Hyunji Kwon] The selection process for the presidential office that President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol will use after his inauguration is expected to be completed as early as this week. With the Ministry of National Defense building in Yongsan, Seoul, virtually chosen, a thorough review is underway regarding the movement route from the Chief of Staff's official residence, which has been earmarked as the presidential residence, to the office. As the Presidential Transition Committee's personnel appointments are finalized, the relocation of the presidential office is expected to accelerate.

According to the Presidential Transition Committee and government sources, the president-elect's team recently sent a message to the Ministry of National Defense to "prepare for the possibility of relocating the office." A senior official from the Transition Committee said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 17th, "A final comprehensive decision has not been made yet," adding, "After internal discussions, we will aim to have the president-elect finalize the decision based on internal results as soon as possible."

The Transition Committee is reported to have almost settled on establishing the new presidential office in the Yongsan Ministry of National Defense building, which offers excellent security and protection conditions. However, the somewhat long distance from Hannam-dong, where the Chief of Staff's official residence?likely to be the presidential residence?is located, to the office has become a last-minute obstacle. There are concerns that the approximately 3.2 km commute could burden citizens' daily travel environments.

The Ministry of National Defense building has received high marks because there are no tall buildings in the surrounding area, and it houses the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Ministry of National Defense, and the Cyber Command, making security, communications, and protocol management easier. Additionally, the helicopter landing pad and spaces for welcoming foreign dignitaries can be utilized. Facilities such as the Defense Convention Center, War Memorial, and the National Museum of Korea are being considered as guesthouses. If the underground bunker at the Blue House, along with the helicopter pad and guesthouse, are all relocated within the existing Ministry of National Defense building, the entire Blue House site could be returned to the public. Should the Yongsan U.S. military base be developed into a large-scale park soon, it could be opened to the general public right up to the front of the presidential office, similar to the White House in the United States.

President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol is arriving at the transition committee office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 17th. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

For this reason, the Transition Committee is reportedly also considering constructing a new residence within the Ministry of National Defense building. The Blue House relocation task force is expected to report this plan to President-elect Yoon within the day. Afterwards, the president-elect is scheduled to hold a related meeting with Transition Committee Chairperson Ahn Cheol-soo and other committee members.

A senior official from the Transition Committee stated, "Some oppose it, and some support it," adding, "We will make a final comprehensive decision."

Within the Transition Committee, there are still voices arguing that the government Seoul office building should not be abandoned to fulfill President-elect Yoon's campaign promises, but these arguments are losing traction. The claim is that even if the Ministry of National Defense building is similar to the Blue House in conditions, the very fact that it is closer to the citizens holds significant meaning.

Spokesperson for President-elect Kim Eun-hye explained, "Until now, the Blue House has been isolated and disconnected from communication with citizens," adding, "It is not a matter of physical relocation, but our intention is always to breathe together with the people and not cause inconvenience to them." She continued, "Because we want to eliminate the remnants of authoritarianism, we declared our intention to move closer to Gwanghwamun and the people."