After 3 Years and 7 Months, the "Yongsan Presidential Office" Era Ends
Official Name Reverts to "the Blue House"
Core Functions Transferred Before Christmas, Major Facilities Relocated
President's Offices Set Up in Main Building and Yeomin Buildi
President Lee Jaemyung has completed the relocation process of major work facilities to the Blue House and will officially begin his duties there. With the end of former President Yoon Sukyeol's "Yongsan era" (which began in May 2022) after three years and seven months, the Blue House has regained its status as the "center" of national administration. With most work facilities already relocated, the Blue House now plans to focus on breaking away from its troubled history of palace coups and presidential impeachments, and instead aims to foster an image of transparent governance and open communication.
On December 22, an official from the Presidential Office stated, "In order to minimize any work disruption, the major work facilities were relocated during evenings and weekends," adding, "The core functions of the Presidential Office will be fully transferred to the Blue House before Christmas." The Blue House comprises the main building used by the president, Yeomin Building 1 to 3 where aides are stationed, the State Guest House for official events, Chunchu Hall which houses the press room and briefing room, and the presidential residence.
Starting today, the press room and briefing room will resume operations centered around Chunchu Hall at the Blue House. With the return to the Blue House, the official name of the Presidential Office will revert to "Blue House," and the traditional Blue House logo will be used on the website and other installations. The Presidential Office is preparing an event to announce the return to the Blue House to the public once the date of President Lee's first day at work is confirmed.
The "Yongsan era" initiated by former President Yoon, which aimed to break away from the "imperial Blue House" and strengthen communication, has ended after three years and seven months amid criticism over a rushed relocation process, security and protection vulnerabilities, and excessive symbolic politics. During the months-long construction of the new residence, former President Yoon commuted from his home in Seocho-dong, causing traffic inconvenience, and even the symbolic "doorstepping" at Yongsan was discontinued just six months after his inauguration. In addition, the Itaewon crowd crush on October 29, controversies over shamanism, and allegations of favoritism in the residence construction continued to burden the Yoon administration regarding the Yongsan relocation.
Having left the Yongsan Presidential Office, which had become a symbol of poor communication, President Lee has returned to the Blue House and will direct state affairs from offices in the main building and Yeomin Building. The main building office will be used for official events such as summits and appointment ceremonies, while most work will likely be conducted from the Yeomin Building office. This mirrors the approach taken by former President Moon Jaein, who added an office in the Yeomin Building to increase communication with aides. Until former President Park Geunhye's term, the president's office was only in the main building, making swift and organic communication with key aides, including the three chiefs working in the Yeomin Building 500 meters away, difficult.
To shed the Blue House's past image as a "hermit kingdom," transparency will be further strengthened. In addition to making cabinet and national security meetings public, the scope of public access will be further expanded. Kang Hoonshik, Chief of Staff at the Presidential Office, said, "We plan to expand online live broadcasts and similar initiatives." The Presidential Security Service also announced that it will maintain its principles of "open and low-profile security" even after returning to the Blue House. Redesignation of security zones will be minimized as much as possible, and measures will be taken to reduce inconvenience for citizens. The so-called "Daengdaeng Run" course, which connects Gwanghwamun, Gyeongbokgung, and the Blue House, will remain open as before, and restrictions on nearby hiking trails will be minimized to maintain openness, according to the Security Service.
However, the relocation of the presidential residence will be completed early next year, once construction is finished. A Presidential Office official explained, "The presidential residence is expected to be fully relocated by early next year after all security and protection checks are completed." Meanwhile, the return to the Blue House is also linked to the plan for a new office in Sejong, suggesting that the Blue House era may not last long. President Lee has repeatedly expressed his intention to move the presidential office to Sejong during his term, and has reportedly mentioned to those around him, "I might even retire in Sejong City."
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