[Yoon President Inauguration] President Yoon to Commute from Seocho-dong Residence for the Time Being

Renovation Work at Foreign Minister's Official Residence
Traveling 7-8 km Daily for a Month

On the 9th, one day before the inauguration of the 20th president, the phoenix emblem symbolizing the president is attached to the Ministry of National Defense building in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, where the presidential office will be located. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] President Yoon Seok-yeol's official residence during his term was decided early on as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Minister's residence in Hannam-dong.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Minister's residence is located in Hannam-dong, Seoul, with a land area of 14,710㎡, which is about twice the size of a soccer field. The building area is 1,434㎡ and includes separate spaces for meetings, receptions, and dinners, making it suitable for various diplomatic events.

Divided into an office building, a residential building, and a yard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Minister's residence is designed as a suitable space for receptions to welcome foreign guests, events inviting diplomatic envoys in Korea, and welcome banquets for major overseas dignitaries. Numerous artworks related to diplomacy and protocol are also displayed.

In particular, the fact that it is only about a 5-minute drive to the Yongsan office is considered an advantage. The Presidential Transition Committee's Blue House Relocation Task Force initially considered the Army Chief of Staff's residence as a candidate for the official residence but changed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Minister's residence due to the long remodeling time required.

However, President Yoon will use the commuting route starting from his Seocho-dong residence, passing through the US military base, and continuing to the Yongsan office for the time being.

During the remodeling of the Hannam-dong residence, President Yoon will commute from his Seocho-dong home. The distance from Seocho-dong residence to the Yongsan office is about 7 to 8 km, with a travel time of approximately 10 minutes.

The specific commuting route of President Yoon has not been disclosed due to security reasons, but it is expected to pass through Hannam Bridge, Dongjak Bridge, Banpo Bridge, and Hangang Bridge.

The team of President-elect Yoon reportedly set the main commuting route as crossing Banpo Bridge, which is closest to the Seocho-dong residence, then entering Ichon-dong road, and passing through the former US military base site.

After crossing the Hangang Bridge, President Yoon heads to the office using Gate 13 near Ichon Station, which is part of the US Forces Korea Yongsan Garrison that was permanently closed at midnight on the 30th of last month.

There have been concerns that controlling traffic during President Yoon's commute in this section, which is prone to congestion during rush hours, could worsen traffic jams.

Considering this, President Yoon has expressed his intention to leave his residence around 7 a.m., avoiding the peak commuting hours of citizens during the period he commutes from his Seocho-dong home.