"Gujunggung Palace, Authoritarianism Disappeared"... Yongsan Office Different from Cheongwadae

Senior Official from the Presidential Office Mentions 'Mutually Integrated Workspaces', 'Communication Skills', and 'Communication with the People'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] A different atmosphere is being created at the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul, compared to the Blue House. On the afternoon of the 13th, President Yoon Seok-yeol, who promised to "strengthen communication" by visiting the press room set up on the first floor of the presidential office building, is focusing on communication, unlike the Blue House, which was criticized as a closed space.

On the 15th, a senior official of the presidential office cited three main characteristics of the new presidential office: "mutually close working space," "communication ability," and "communication with the people." The official said this in response to many people asking about the differences from the previous Moon Jae-in administration during the first week of the new government.

The official mentioned, "Instead of working in the authoritarian and closed space of the Blue House, which was like a secluded palace in deep mountains and valleys (심산유곡의 구중궁궐), we are working in a mutually close working space where we can have informal discussions and meetings on the same floor with senior secretaries, similar to the White House in the United States." This indicates that, unlike the experience at the Blue House, the impact on work efficiency and openness of thought has increased.

The disappearance of authoritarianism was also pointed out as a major difference. "Until now, there has never been a time when the president’s commuting appearance was transparently disclosed to ordinary citizens like this," the official said. "If you are in the Blue House, which is like a luxurious palace, there is no way to know the president’s commuting appearance."

The second point was communication with the media. The official explained, "The president’s efforts to communicate with the media are incomparable to previous presidents," adding, "President Yoon arranged the press room at a passage where he can encounter reporters during commuting hours, showing that the president frequently communicates with the media in a rational and reasonable manner." In fact, last week, President Yoon visited the press room and held an immediate Q&A session on current issues.

At that occasion, President Yoon promised to strengthen communication, saying, "I will come often because the people should not forget." When asked by reporters how often he would come, he replied, "I will come often. Today, I came once to see if there is any discomfort and to listen a bit." After stepping onto the briefing stage, he said, "In the future, not only the spokesperson but also each senior secretary and responsible secretary will come here to communicate whenever there is an issue related to their duties," adding, "Since it has not been long since we started, let’s not rush and create a good system."

Over the weekend, he visited citizens. The day before, President Yoon and his wife visited a downtown department store and a traditional market in the plaza to have time communicating with the people. In addition, he personally checked the Yongsan office building, where construction was not yet completed due to the presidential office relocation, and took care of the staff. President Yoon visited the General Affairs Secretary’s Office and the Cybersecurity Secretary’s Office, encouraging the staff by saying, "Let’s work comfortably," and "Even if it is still insufficient, since we are moving floors and they say they will provide good facilities, let’s endure for a while."