[Yongsan Report] No Exceptions for Chief Secretary... Protocol-Driven Security at Yeongbingwan

Security Office Response... A Hot Topic Among Staff
Thrilling Moments as Children Gather at the Public Livelihood Forum

At the 'With the People of Cheong Wa Dae' video exhibition press event held at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, the media facade artwork 'Twelve Lights' is being demonstrated on the outer wall of the State Guest House.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The strict principle-based security at the Blue House Reception Hall (Yeongbingwan) has become a hot topic among the presidential office staff. Yeongbingwan is the venue for welcoming foreign state guests, hosting banquets, and holding major official events attended by President Yoon Suk-yeol. Completed in December 1978, it is also the oldest symbolic building among the modern structures of the Blue House. On the 20th, the '3rd Democracy Summit' hosted by South Korea was held at Yeongbingwan, with attendance from various ministers and deputy ministers, including U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Yeongbingwan is known to have a system that thoroughly secures the premises regardless of rank or status. The security is so strict that there are occasional complaints from inside. Even the Chief of Staff, who closely assists President Yoon, is no exception. Passing through the metal detector (MD) security checkpoint is mandatory to enter the event venue, and sometimes full-body searches are conducted.

A presidential office official said, "There was a time when Chief of Staff Lee Gwan-seop had to enter Yeongbingwan urgently, but the strict inspection by the security office caused a delay," adding, "Another staff member, unable to stand by, even whispered 'He is the Chief of Staff,' but the security office's response did not change much," recounting the situation at the time.

It is said that even Kim Tae-hyo, the First Deputy Director of the National Security Office, South Korea's security control tower, cannot easily pass through the security checkpoint of the security office. Regarding this, a presidential security office official stated, "Yeongbingwan is usually open to the public, but when there is a VIP (President) event, the security office meticulously manages the overall security situation, including passing through MD X-ray machines," and added, "It is natural to uphold principles regardless of rank or status."

Recently, as President Yoon travels nationwide holding public livelihood discussion meetings, the security office's difficulties have increased. Especially for events involving children, it is challenging to respond strictly according to principles, causing even more strain. On the 14th, President Yoon visited Oryong Elementary School in Muan County, Jeollanam-do, to observe the Neulbom School program, where security personnel faced difficulties as children rushed in all at once to welcome the president.

A remarkable scene unfolded as children crowded around, offering the president lollipops they had prepared or earnestly requesting his autograph. A presidential office official said, "Since the children were meeting President Yoon for the first time and were excited, the security had to be even more cautious," adding, "For external events held in local areas, the security office personnel alone are insufficient, so they sometimes receive assistance from local police."

President Yoon Suk-yeol is entering Oryong Elementary School in Muan-gun, Jeollanam-do on the 14th to observe the Neulbom School program. [Image source=Yonhap News]