Cheongwadae Relocation TF "Opening Entire Cheong to Public Aligned with Yoon President-elect's Inauguration Ceremony End Time"

Reservation Entry During Cheong Open Cultural Event Period (Next Month 10-23)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] The Blue House will be fully opened to the public in time for the inauguration ceremony of President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol on the 10th of next month.

Yoon Han-hong, head of the Blue House Relocation Task Force, stated at a briefing held on the afternoon of the 25th at the transition committee press room in Tongui-dong, Seoul, "President-elect Yoon promised during the recent election to return the Blue House, a symbol of imperial power, to the people."

He emphasized, "The Blue House, including the main building, the guesthouse, and the Nokjiwon and Sangchunjae gardens, known as the finest gardens, will be reborn as an open space accessible to all citizens. Additionally, the Bukaksan hiking trail, which was previously cut off by the Blue House, will be fully opened from 7 a.m. on May 10, becoming a recreational spot that the public can enjoy anytime."

To commemorate the opening of the Blue House, cultural events will be held from May 10 to 22 within the Blue House grounds, Gyeongbokgung Palace, and the Bukaksan area. During the same period, special events celebrating the Blue House opening will also take place nationwide, including at Cheongnamdae in Cheongju, Chungbuk, the Presidential Archives in Sejong, and the Blue House set in Hapcheon, Gyeongnam.

Furthermore, considering potential inconveniences and safety issues caused by a large number of visitors during the initial opening phase, a temporary reservation system for visits will be implemented.

Yoon explained, "The daily visitor capacity has been set at 39,000 people, divided into six sessions of 6,500 visitors every two hours, based on the available area within the Blue House grounds, ensuring a minimum space of 3 square meters per visitor, and allowing sufficient time for comfortable viewing. After the opening event (from May 23 onward), the scale and operation method of admissions may be adjusted depending on public interest and visitor trends, and any changes will be communicated sequentially."

Reservations for visits will be accepted starting at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, the 27th, through mobile applications and websites with high public accessibility such as Naver, Kakao, and Toss.

During the initial opening phase, separate applications will be accepted for seniors aged 65 and over, persons with disabilities, and group visits to allocate visitor numbers appropriately. The Baekakjeong Daetongmun gate behind the Blue House will also open on May 10, allowing the public to use the Bukaksan hiking trail connecting the Blue House to the Hanyangdoseong Fortress.