[Report] "I rushed up because it might be my last chance"... '300-Meter Queue' for Blue House Open Run

President's Return to the Blue House Ends Public Tours in August
200,000 Visitors in a Single Day on the 12th... Crowds Flock from Across the Country

"I rushed up here because I thought this might be my last chance to see the Blue House."

Citizens are lining up in long queues on the 13th to see Cheongwadae before the viewing period ends. Photo by Byun Seonjin

Kim Yunmok (69) and Jang Deokja (68), a married couple, traveled from Jincheon County, North Chungcheong Province, early in the morning on Friday, the 13th, to visit the Blue House. They strolled through every corner of the Blue House, taking commemorative photos and sharing laughter. Jang commented, "Even though it's a weekday, the Blue House is this crowded. If we had come on the weekend, we might not have been able to enter at all." On this day, an hour before the start of the Blue House tour, a 300-meter line had already formed from the main gate to the Chunchumun entrance. A Blue House guide said, "More than 2,000 visitors arrived even before the opening time."

With President Lee Jaemyung's return to the Blue House confirmed, citizens have been flocking to visit. Public tours will end in August to allow for renovation and maintenance work. The Blue House, a symbol of 'state governance,' was opened to the public in May 2022 with the launch of the Yoon Sukyeol administration, but it will once again serve as President Lee's office. Hwang (57) said, "It's unfortunate that the Blue House tours are ending," and added, "It would be nice if the public could be allowed to visit even once every few months for the sake of communication with the people."

On the 13th, while citizens lined up in long queues to tour the Blue House main building, the signboard displayed an estimated waiting time of 90 minutes. Photo by Byun Seonjin

All areas of the Blue House grounds, including the main building, Yeongbingwan, and Chunchugwan, were filled with citizens eager to capture memories of their final visit. Kim Doohong (22), who came from Ulsan, said, "I thought it would be hard to see the Blue House in the future, so I hurried up here alone just a few days before enlisting," and added, "It makes me wonder, 'Did former presidents really move their offices from such a magnificent place?'" Yoon Jihoo (32) said, "The scenery at the Blue House is truly beautiful. It was worth leaving early in the morning and waiting in line for so long."

To enter the main building, which served as the president's office, visitors had to wait in line for at least 90 minutes. Yoo Jingoo (41), who came with his family, said, "I took a day off work for my first outing to the Blue House, and I think it will become a wonderful memory for my children." Park Okbun (72), who traveled from Suncheon, South Jeolla Province, said, "The line is so long that I don't think I'll be able to get inside."

There was also a steady stream of foreign tourists. Chaiyaphon (50), who came on a family trip from Thailand, even asked the reporter to take a photo. He said, "If such a beautiful and peaceful place is used as the president's office, it seems only natural that good policies would come out of it," and added, "Even after I return home, my visit to the Blue House will remain a lasting memory." Madison Clark (29), a U.S. citizen, said, "I'm impressed that Korea shares such a symbolic place as the Blue House with its people, just like the White House."

The local businesses near the Blue House also saw a rare boost in activity. A cafe employee surnamed Lee said, "Since the Blue House opened to the public, weekday mornings have usually been quiet, but after the presidential election, the number of orders seems to have increased by more than 50%." Some business owners hope that when the Blue House is used as an office again, government officials will frequently visit nearby establishments. Yoon Jinok (70), who runs a gimbap shop, said, "It would be a great help if many civil servants came for lunch."

According to the Blue House Foundation, in the first year of opening in 2022, the average monthly number of visitors reached 340,000. The number decreased to 170,000 in 2023 and 160,000 last year, but surged to 260,000 in April after the impeachment of former President Yoon Sukyeol was upheld. This surge is believed to be due to expectations that visiting the Blue House would soon become difficult. Last month, 420,000 people visited, and as of the 12th of this month, 200,000 have already come. A Blue House Foundation official said, "With the suspension of Blue House tours for security checks and other reasons confirmed to begin in August, people are rushing to seize their last chance to visit."