[Q&A] "Cheong Full Opening Allows 39,000 Visitors Per Day"

Transition Team: "Yoon's Inauguration Ceremony to Mark Immediate Opening... Revitalizing as a National Rest Spot"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] The Blue House will be fully opened in time for the inauguration ceremony of President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol on the 10th of next month.

Yoon Han-hong, head of the Blue House Relocation Task Force, stated at a briefing held on the afternoon of the 25th at the transition team's press conference room in Tongui-dong, Seoul, "President-elect Yoon promised during the last election process to return the Blue House, a symbol of imperial power, to the people."

He emphasized, "The Blue House, including the main building, the guesthouse, and the Nokjiwon garden known as the best garden, as well as Sangchunjae, will be reborn as an open space that anyone can enjoy. Additionally, the Bukaksan hiking trail, which was cut off due to the Blue House, will be fully opened from 7 a.m. on May 10th, becoming a resting spot that the public can enjoy anytime."

The Blue House Relocation Task Force plans to temporarily operate a viewing application service considering public inconvenience and safety issues caused by many visitors during the initial opening period.

According to Yoon, viewing applications will be accepted starting at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, the 27th, through mobile applications and websites with high public accessibility such as Naver, Kakao, and Toss. Also, the Baekakjeong Daetongmun gate behind the Blue House will be opened on May 10th, allowing the public to use the Bukaksan hiking trail connecting the Blue House to the Hanyangdoseong fortress.

Yoon explained, "The number of visitors was determined to be 39,000 per day, with 6 sessions of 6,500 people every 2 hours, after comprehensively reviewing the usable area inside the Blue House, securing a minimum space of 3 square meters per visitor, and allowing sufficient viewing time." He added, "After the opening event (from May 23), the scale and operation method of admission may be adjusted considering public interest and visitor trends, and any adjustments will be announced sequentially."

Below is the Q&A.

- What is the purpose and operational direction of the opening?

▲ The Blue House, which was a closed space, has been restructured into an 'open space' for all citizens to enjoy and returned to the people. This represents the completion of full opening through the relocation of the presidential office, building upon the partial openings attempted by previous administrations. The Blue House main building, Nokjiwon, and the Bukaksan hiking trail are organically connected to create a resting place and historical cultural park that citizens want to visit. It aims to serve as a symbolic space where history and the future coexist, crossing through Joseon and modern history, and to provide an opportunity to leap forward as a future heritage site.

- What is the difference between the past partial opening of the Blue House and this opening?

▲ The previous partial opening allowed a limited number of people (1,500 before COVID-19) to visit restricted areas under the guidance of a host in a 'tour' format. Because of this, it was difficult for the public to feel that the Blue House threshold had been lowered. However, this opening allows citizens to freely explore the Blue House grounds and experience various cultural activities, making them feel that the Blue House has truly become a public space and is genuinely 'open.'

- The scope of the Blue House opening has been reduced from full opening to grounds opening. When will the interior of the buildings be open to the public?

▲ Inside the Blue House facilities, there are many items and documents that require prior organization, such as important records, communication facilities, and security-related documents. After organizing these key items, preparations will be made to fully open the interior of the buildings.

- Why is the daily admission limited to 39,000 people?

▲ The appropriate number of visitors was calculated to ensure a comfortable viewing environment and safety management. Excluding buildings such as the main building and residence, restricted areas, mountain hiking trails, and large gardens and green spaces, the total usable area is 19,483.5 square meters. Securing 3 square meters per person allows about 6,494 people to use the area simultaneously for a 2-hour stay. The opening hours are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with six 2-hour sessions, resulting in a total admission of 38,964 people.

- How will operations be handled after the special opening period (from May 23)?

▲ The Blue House will continue to be open after the opening event ends on May 23, with detailed plans to be announced sequentially. In particular, a Blue House Operation Planning Promotion Committee led by the Presidential Office will be formed to discuss and finalize sustainable management plans. Until then, related ministries are considering temporary management. Once visitor numbers stabilize without safety or order issues, full free viewing will also be considered.

- Currently, viewing ends at 7 p.m. When will nighttime opening be possible?

▲ Initially, nighttime opening is difficult due to facility inspections and incomplete safety and lighting facilities. Plans for nighttime opening will be developed later.

- How are COVID-19 prevention measures and crowd congestion handled?

▲ Basic quarantine rules will be followed, and mask-wearing is mandatory. To alleviate congestion, the Yeongbinmun, main gate, and Chunchoo gates will be operated to encourage dispersed entry. Twenty-two entry lines will be installed, and a barcode scanning system will be implemented to facilitate smooth admission. Police personnel will be deployed to control access to facilities, maintain safety and patrol, and mobile patrol teams will operate during peak visitor times to maintain car-free zones. Traffic police will be stationed on the Blue House road and outer roundabouts to manage vehicle detours.

- How will the Blue House-Bukaksan linked hiking course be operated?

▲ The hiking course opening hours are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with entry restricted until 5 p.m. Spring and autumn hours will be from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and winter hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hikers can enter freely without limits on numbers. However, general hikers who are not selected as Blue House visitors through the prior viewing application system cannot tour the Blue House grounds. Since tourists and hikers are expected to concentrate during the opening period, safety personnel will be concentrated around the newly opened Blue House hiking trail.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.