'First Visit to Cheongwadae After Inauguration' President Yoon's First Official 'Couple' Schedule Too

Yoon Makes Surprise Appearance Introduced by Host Before Final Song
First Official Visit to Blue House Since Inauguration, Besides Visiting as President-Elect

President Yoon Suk-yeol and First Lady Kim Keon-hee attending the KBS program Open Concert held at the Blue House. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Se-eun] President Yoon Seok-yeol and First Lady Kim Geon-hee attended the 'Blue House Opening Special KBS Open Concert' on the 22nd.

This was the first time President Yoon visited the Blue House since his inauguration. Although he had visited the Blue House for a dinner meeting with former President Moon Jae-in, he was still President-elect at that time.

It was also the first time the couple attended an official schedule together since the inauguration. First Lady Kim exchanged informal greetings with U.S. President Joe Biden before the dinner following the summit. Afterwards, she did not participate in the dinner.

The event was significant as it symbolized returning the Blue House to the people after relocating the presidential office to Yongsan. President Yoon, seated in the audience watching the performance, also greeted the public.

Around 8:50 p.m., just before the final performance, President Yoon stood up from the audience upon the introduction of MC Jo Woo-jong. First Lady Kim gave a brief greeting, followed by President Yoon’s remarks.

He said, "The Blue House space is a well-maintained park and a cultural heritage site, but above all, it belongs to the people. I am very pleased and happy to listen to beautiful music with you all on this wonderful May evening."

He added, "In the past, I sometimes went to watch the Open Concert held at the KBS studio with my wife."

This Open Concert was held at the Blue House for the first time in 27 years. An outdoor stage was set up in front of the Blue House main building, and pianist Lim Dong-hyuk performed on the piano in the first-floor lobby of the main building, making the interior of the Blue House itself a stage.

Applications to attend were accepted through the public application website from the 10th to the 13th of this month, and 1,500 national merit recipients and 500 invited citizens, including multicultural and single-parent families, were randomly selected.

Meanwhile, members of the Democratic Party showed discomfort regarding the event.

The Democratic Party’s Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee and Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee issued a statement saying, "What is the intention behind holding the Blue House Opening Special Open Concert just about 10 days before the June 1 local elections?" They criticized, "KBS was mobilized as part of the Yoon administration’s election strategy to promote the Blue House opening and win the favor of voters in the local elections."