DPK: "Return of Presidential Office to Blue House, a Decisive Break from Insurrection and Step Toward Normalization of State Affairs"

"Yongsan Relocation Was a Waste of Taxpayer Money"

The Democratic Party of Korea described the presidential office's return to the Blue House as "a historic turning point to correct the failures of the previous administration and restore popular sovereignty."

On December 25, Spokesperson Baek Seung-a stated in a written briefing, "The return to the Blue House is a decisive move to break away from the history of state manipulation and insurrection under the Yoon Suk Yeol and Kim Keon Hee administration, and to restore popular sovereignty and normalize state affairs."

On May 10, 2017, the phoenix flag and the Taegeukgi fluttering in front of the Blue House main building. Photo by Yonhap News.

Spokesperson Baek also pointed out, "The Yoon Suk Yeol administration's relocation to Yongsan was a decision pushed forward without sufficient review or public consensus," adding, "The result was astronomical waste of taxpayer money and overall confusion in state affairs."

She further criticized the People Power Party, saying, "Political forces that condoned and supported the irresponsible administration and squandering of public funds revealed during the Yongsan relocation process cannot be free from responsibility," and emphasized, "Now is the time to reflect and cooperate for the normalization of state affairs."

The presidential office announced that, starting December 29, its official name will change to "the Blue House," and the phoenix flag will be raised at the Blue House at midnight on the same day. The phoenix flag, a symbol of the nation's head of state, is permanently displayed where the president's main office is located.