1.1 Million Applied for Cheongwadae Tour... How Will It Proceed?

[Asia Economy Reporter Buaeri] With the full opening of Cheongwadae (the Blue House) starting next month on the 10th, there is intense interest, with over 1.1 million people applying to visit.

According to the Cheongwadae Relocation Task Force (TF) as of midnight on the 30th, the cumulative number of applications to tour Cheongwadae reached 1,124,372. On the 29th alone, an additional 101,815 people applied. The number of applicants wishing to visit on the first day of opening, May 10, is as high as 83,355.

How to apply

Applications to tour Cheongwadae are being accepted in advance through Naver, KakaoTalk, and Toss. The application period is until 8 days before the desired visit date.

On Naver, you can search for 'Cheongwadae Opening Reservation' in the search bar and follow the steps. For KakaoTalk, you can add the 'National Secretary Goobbi' channel and then select the Cheongwadae tour menu. For Toss, access the app and go to the full menu, then select 'Apply for Cheongwadae Tour.'

Applications are categorized into individuals (1?4 people), groups (30?50 people), and seniors aged 65 and over and persons with disabilities (1?4 people).

The visiting hours on the first day of opening, May 10, are from noon to 8 p.m., and from May 11 to 21, the visiting hours are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. On the 22nd, a separate event requires a separate application, and operating hours will be announced separately. Plans after the special opening event ends on the 23rd will be disclosed sequentially.

There will be six tours per day in two-hour intervals, with 6,500 visitors admitted per session, and a maximum of 39,000 visitors per day. There is no separate admission fee.

The Cheongwadae Relocation TF will notify winners of the lottery 8 days before the visit date. Notifications for those who applied to visit on May 10 will be individually sent by 2 p.m. on May 2 only to those who have been selected. Those not selected can reapply for a new desired date.

Smartphone ticket holders will receive winning notifications and barcodes through the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's 'National Secretary' system. Entry is possible by scanning the barcode at three locations: the main gate, Chunghugwan, and the Guesthouse. If barcode use is difficult, the reservation number will be verified at the on-site desk, and a wristband will be issued for entry processing.

For the time being, on-site entry without prior application is not possible. The Cheongwadae Relocation TF explained, "Once the number of visitors stabilizes at a level that does not cause safety or order maintenance issues, we plan to switch to full free admission so that visitors can come without reservation applications."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

How far does the tour cover?

Cheongwadae will open the Main Building, Guesthouse, Nokjiwon (Green Garden), Sangchunjae, and other areas.

The Cheongwadae Relocation TF explained, "From May 10 to 22, over 13 days, various cultural events embodying a new era and new hope will be held within the Cheongwadae grounds, Gyeongbokgung Palace, and the Bukaksan Mountain area."

Previously, Cheongwadae tours were conducted with a limited number of people under the guidance of a host, but this opening allows the public to freely explore the Cheongwadae grounds and have diverse experiences. Photography, which was only allowed at designated points, will now be permitted throughout. However, the interior of Cheongwadae buildings will be prepared for opening at a later date.

The Bukaksan Mountain hiking trail, which had been blocked due to Cheongwadae, will be fully opened from 7 a.m. on May 10. The Baekakjeong Daetongmun gate behind Cheongwadae, which had been locked for security reasons, will also be opened that day. The hiking trail starting from the east and west sides of Cheongwadae can be used without prior application or visitor limits.

Opening hours are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with entry restricted after 5 p.m. Seasonal hours are as follows: spring and autumn from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., summer from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and winter from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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