Updated : 2025-12-22 13:24:50 KST
After weeks of preparations, the Presidential Office is entering the final phase of its return to Cheong Wa Dae, the Blue House. With the move nearly complete, the presidential press corps has also relocated, and live briefings will begin there today. Our Presidential Office correspondent Song Yoo-jin walks us through the return and what the revived Cheong Wa Dae will look like. For the first time in years, cameras are getting a rare look inside the Yongsan Presidential Office, where workers are moving wrapped furniture out of the building.
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The destination? Cheong Wa Dae, also known as the Blue House. After more than three and a half years, South Korea's top office is heading back to its former home, just behind Gyeongbokgung Palace in downtown Seoul. "The Presidential Office will now leave the Yongsan era behind and return to the Blue House, the place where the president originally was and belongs." Returning to Cheong Wa Dae was one of President Lee's key campaign pledges. "It would be best to swiftly refurbish Cheong Wa Dae and move back in." He has argued that the compound is better equipped with established security, protocol, and diplomatic infrastructure, making it more cost-efficient and operationally effective.
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refurbish 새로 꾸미다[재단장하다]
compound 구내, 영내, 복합체
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The previous Yoon Suk Yeol administration relocated the Presidential Office to the Defense Ministry compound in 2022, saying that Cheong Wa Dae symbolized an overly centralized, imperial presidency distant from the public. Since August, Cheong Wa Dae has been closed to visitors so it could undergo renovation work in preparation for the return. So what will the revived presidential compound look like? The layout itself remains largely unchanged. The main building houses the president's office and reception rooms. Yeomingwan buildings one through three serve as offices for his aides.
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There's also the Yeongbingwan state guest house, the Chunchugwan press center, and the presidential residence. What will change is how the space is used. President Lee plans to work primarily from Yeomingwan, rather than the main building, to streamline communication and decision-making. The presidential residence, however, will not be used immediately, as additional refurbishment is required. Most of the relocation is expected to be completed around Christmas, with President Lee likely to begin officially commuting to Cheong Wa Dae from his current residence in Hannamdong toward the end of the year.
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"The Lee administration says that moving back to Cheong Wa Dae will not mean a return to its old image, which was often criticized as closed and authoritarian. Officials say they plan to expand online livestreams of President Lee's official arrangements and minimize security restrictions around the area. While access will be limited, the administration also plans to reopen Cheong Wa Dae to visitors next year. Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News."
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영어 원문 출처 및 동영상 링크;
arirang news/Nat'l/Politics
https://m.arirang.com/news/view?id=290703