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 Building
Day-to-Day Work Conducted in Yeomin Building
Breaking Away from History of Palace Coups and Presidential Impeachments
Continuing the Image of Transparent Governance and Open Communication
President Lee Jaemyung has completed the relocation of major work facilities to the Blue House and is set to 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 of the work facilities already relocated, the Blue House plans to focus on breaking away from its troubled history of palace coups and presidential impeachments, and instead continue 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 after working hours and on weekends," adding, "Before Christmas, the core functions of the Presidential Office will be fully transferred to the Blue House." The Blue House consists of the main building used by the President, Yeomin Building 1 to 3 where aides are stationed, the State Guest House for official events, the Chunchu Building housing the press room and briefing room, and the presidential residence.
From this day, the press room and briefing room will resume operations centered around the Chunchu Building at the Blue House. With the relocation, the official name of the Presidential Office will revert to "the Blue House," and the traditional Blue House logo will be used on the website and all related installations. The Presidential Office is preparing an event to announce the President's return to the Blue House to the public once the date of President Lee's first day at work is confirmed.
Former President Yoon's "Yongsan Era" aimed to break away from the "imperial Blue House" and strengthen communication, but it faced criticism for a hasty relocation process, security and protection vulnerabilities, and excessive symbolic politics, ultimately ending after three years and seven months. During the construction of the new presidential residence, former President Yoon commuted from his home in Seocho-dong for several months, causing traffic inconveniences, and even the "doorstepping" sessions-symbolic of the Yongsan move-were halted just six months after his inauguration. Additionally, the Yongsan relocation continued to burden the Yoon administration due to a series of issues, including the Itaewon crowd crush on October 29, controversies over shamanism, and allegations of favoritism in the residence construction.
Leaving behind the Yongsan Presidential Office, which had become a symbol of poor communication, President Lee will now oversee state affairs from offices installed in both the main building and the Yeomin Building at the Blue House. The main office will be used for official events such as summits and appointment ceremonies, but most work will likely be conducted from the Yeomin Building offices. This is similar to the move by former President Moon Jaein, who established additional offices in the Yeomin Building to facilitate communication with aides. Until the administration of former President Park Geunhye, the president's office was located only in the main building, making it difficult for key aides working in the Yeomin Building, which is 500 meters away, to communicate quickly and efficiently with the president.
To shed the Blue House's old image as an "imperial palace," transparency will be further strengthened. In addition to making cabinet meetings and major policy meetings public, the scope of public disclosure will be expanded. Kang Hoonshik, Chief of Staff at the Presidential Office, stated, "We plan to further 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. The designation of security zones will be minimized to only what is necessary, and measures will be implemented to reduce inconvenience to citizens. The so-called "Daengdaeng Run" running 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 take place early next year, once construction is completed. An official from the Presidential Office explained, "The presidential residence is expected to be fully relocated by early next year after security and protection checks are completed." Meanwhile, the return to the Blue House is also linked to plans for a presidential office in Sejong, so 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 may even retire in Sejong City."
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