Over 200,000 Visitors in One Week Since Cheongwadae Opening... 'Economic Impact Expected to Grow'

Korea Culture and Tourism Institute Forecast Exceeded by More Than 3 Times
Annual Visitors Estimated at 10 Million, Production Induction Effect Estimated at 500 Billion Won

On the 15th, the first weekend after the opening of Cheong Wa Dae, many citizens visited Cheong Wa Dae in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Due to the sharp increase in pedestrian traffic following the full opening of Cheong Wa Dae, the Seoul Metropolitan Government will pilot a car-free street on the road in front of Cheong Wa Dae (from Hyoja-dong Fountain to Chun Chu Gate) during the Cheong Wa Dae opening event period. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] The Blue House, which has returned to the people after 74 years, has seen a surge in visitor numbers, surpassing 200,000 within a week of its opening, indicating a strong wave of interest.

According to Kim Seungsoo, a member of the People Power Party (Daegu Buk-gu Eul), the cumulative number of visitors exceeded 200,000 during the first week after the Blue House opened.

The number of visitors to Gyeongbokgung Palace on weekdays also increased more than fourfold, from 13,986 in the second week of April to 57,138 in the second week of May. The economic and cultural ripple effects resulting from the Blue House opening were also found to be significant.

This figure exceeds three times the estimated "Economic Effects of Opening the Blue House" announced by the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute last March. Not only the number of visitors but also the production inducement effect, value-added inducement effect, employment inducement effect, and regional economic effects are expected to increase substantially.

Accordingly, there is a growing demand for preservation and utilization plans for the cultural heritage and historic sites around the Blue House, which has been fully opened for the first time in 74 years, as well as measures to prevent damage.

Representative Kim said, "The Blue House, transformed from a symbol of the highest power in the Republic of Korea to a space for the people, will change the domestic tourism landscape," adding, "We must develop a tourism belt linking the Blue House with nearby Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seochon, Bukchon, Bugaksan, and Inwangsan, as well as create cultural and tourism content that embodies Korea's historicity and symbolism."

The Presidential Office announced that the Blue House opening event, originally scheduled to end on the 22nd, will be extended until the 11th of next month.