Yoon's Transition Team: Blue House Relocation Efforts Since YS Era... "Hard to Escape Without Decisive Action"

Presidents Kim Young-sam, Kim Dae-jung, Lee Myung-bak, and Moon Jae-in Also Pushed for 청 Relocation
"Once In, Busy Matters Will Prevent the Move"

President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol is holding a press conference on the relocation of the Blue House presidential office to the Yongsan Ministry of National Defense building at the press conference room of the Presidential Transition Committee, located in the annex of the Korea Financial Training Institute in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 20th. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol, who announced his plan to relocate the presidential office to Yongsan, also introduced the fact that previous administrations and presidential candidates had pursued similar relocations.

On the 20th, after holding a press conference about relocating the presidential office to Yongsan, Yoon’s team released supplementary materials detailing the history of presidential office relocation efforts by past governments.

According to the disclosed materials, the relocation efforts began during former President Kim Young-sam’s administration in 1993. It was introduced that Kim Young-sam pledged to work from the Seoul Government Complex during his 1993 presidential campaign, and after taking office, he opened roads around the Blue House, allowed access to Inwangsan Mountain, and after demolishing the private residence, opened a sarangbang (reception room).

Former President Kim Dae-jung also attempted to work from the Seoul Government Complex in early 1998, but the plan was halted due to security and cost issues. However, Kim Dae-jung allowed photography near the Blue House fountain and permitted the public to tour the Blue House for certain hours.

Former President Lee Myung-bak also considered relocating the presidential office, secretariat, and security office to the annex of the Seoul Government Complex during his term, but the plan was stopped due to costs and the need for parliamentary approval.

During the 18th presidential election when former President Park Geun-hye was elected, independent candidate Ahn Cheol-soo and then Democratic United Party candidate Moon Jae-in also promised to relocate the presidential office to the Seoul Government Complex.

President Moon Jae-in also pledged a “Gwanghwamun Presidential Era” during his candidacy and pursued it after election, but postponed the relocation due to security and cost issues. Moon appointed former Cultural Heritage Administrator Yoo Hong-jun and others as advisory committee members to prepare for the Gwanghwamun Presidential Era.

Regarding the recent decision to relocate, President-elect Yoon explained during a Q&A with reporters, “If we do not make a decisive move, it will be difficult to escape the imperial presidency system,” and added, “I believe that space governs consciousness. That is why I am explaining this to seek the public’s understanding.” In response to criticism that he intends to rush the relocation, he said, “If it takes time, we will eventually have to move in, but once we start working there, I believe the busy workload will prevent the relocation from happening.”