[Core Task of the Ministry of Culture ①] "Cheongwadae, Transformed into an Exhibition Space Like the Palace of Versailles"

Minister Park Bo-gyun Reports New Government Work Plan, Emphasizing 'A Living, Breathing Cheongwadae'
"Leading Overall Operations of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism... Reorganizing as a Premium Exhibition Space"
President's Historical and Cultural Space Creation... Advisory Committee Joined by Park Ji-man, Noh Jae-heon, Kim Hyun-cheol
Regarding Concerns of Conflict in Cultural Heritage Administration's History and Culture Research, Declares "No Possibility of Conflict"

"We will transform Cheongwadae into a premium exhibition space like the Palace of Versailles in France." Park Bo-gyun, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, placed 'a living, breathing Cheongwadae' at the forefront of the new government's core agenda. While preserving its original form, the plan is to integrate art to create a space that lives and breathes among the people.

On the 21st, Minister Park reported the new government's work plan to President Yoon Seok-yeol. The core tasks are: ▲ a living, breathing Cheongwadae ▲ the leap of our economy led by K-content ▲ creating a creative environment full of the values of freedom and creativity ▲ ensuring fair access opportunities to culture ▲ an era of regional balance opened by culture. He promised, "We will create a world-class cultural attraction nation together with the people."

The task receiving the most attention is undoubtedly the living, breathing Cheongwadae. Since it has returned to the people, it will be developed as the new government's core brand and South Korea's greatest symbolic asset. The plan is to expand the diversity, dignity, and appeal of the space to establish its cultural and artistic aspects. Minister Park stated, "The Cultural Heritage Administration currently manages Cheongwadae through the Cheongwadae Public Opening Promotion Team, but from now on, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will take the lead in overall operations."

On the 26th, when the interior of the Blue House main building was opened to the public, citizens who visited the Blue House in Jongno-gu, Seoul, lined up to tour the main building. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will reorganize the Main Building and the Residence into exhibition spaces featuring artworks. Artworks created to fit the space will be placed in their original locations in the former, while the latter will have artworks installed mainly in the living room and annex dining room. The Grand Garden will be used as a comprehensive performing arts stage. Minister Park said, "On major occasions such as the first anniversary of the opening, we plan to hold performances that blend various fields such as traditional Korean music, classical music, and popular music."

The State Guest House will be transformed into a premium modern and contemporary art exhibition hall. It will host curated exhibitions of Cheongwadae's collection, the Lee Kun-hee Collection, and other top domestic and international artworks. Minister Park said, "The building is designed in a postmodern style blending Eastern and Western elements, making it suitable for high-quality exhibitions," adding, "We plan to start exhibitions as early as this fall." He continued, "We will involve many of the country's top experts to create a premium exhibition space," and expressed confidence, "We will present a model of public-private cooperation."

The Ministry is preparing a special exhibition of Cheongwadae's collection as the first exhibition. It will showcase works by Heo Baek-ryeon, Jang Woo-sung, Kim Ki-chang, Heo Geon, Seo Se-ok, Bae Ryeom, Park Dae-sung, Song Gyu-tae, and others to highlight the beauty of Korean painting. Minister Park said, "We are concurrently working on storytelling foundations that trace the presence of top artworks since the era of President Syngman Rhee's Kyunghwadang in 1948," adding, "We will entrust related tasks such as catalog production to private experts."

Outdoor spaces such as Nokjiwon will be developed into sculpture parks. They will also be used as special exhibition spaces for projects like the Pavilion Project. Chunchoogwan will become a citizen communication space, and the briefing room on the second floor will be converted into a special exhibition space available for private rental. The first exhibition in the former is scheduled for the Disability Culture and Arts Festival in August-September. Minister Park said, "Next month, we are consulting with the Korea Federation of Organizations of the Disabled to create opportunities for communication and empathy between people with and without disabilities," adding, "Artists Kim Hyun-woo and Jung Eun-hye are expected to participate."

Minister Park's opinions were heavily reflected in the promotion of the complex cultural space. He said, "I worked as a reporter covering Cheongwadae during President Kim Young-sam's administration," adding, "While covering cultural events on the second floor of the State Guest House, I often thought it was suitable as an exhibition space." He continued, "If you visit, you will imagine various ways to utilize the space," and stated, "As long as the original architecture is preserved and managed, there will be no problems."

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will also develop Cheongwadae as a presidential historical and cultural space. The site of the Main Building and others will be arranged as symbolic spaces that allow visitors to experience the leadership, life, and power center of the presidents. An advisory committee for storytelling has already been formed, including Jo Hye-ja, daughter-in-law of President Syngman Rhee; Yoon Sang-gu, son of President Yoon Bo-seon; Park Ji-man, son of President Park Chung-hee and brother of President Park Geun-hye; Noh Jae-heon, son of President Roh Tae-woo; Kim Hyun-chul, son of President Kim Young-sam; and Kim Hong-eop, son of President Kim Dae-jung. Minister Park explained, "All of them actually lived in Cheongwadae," and added, "We plan to look into the untold sides of history and prepare exhibition spaces accordingly."

As part of related projects, the Ministry will also restore a model of the old Main Building site, which was demolished under President Kim Young-sam's orders. Currently, only the 'Jeolbyeongtong' (decorative element above the entrance roof) remains. Minister Park emphasized, "It is a cultural trace of the presidents who shared the pains of the founding of the government, the Korean War, industrialization, and democratization," and said, "It is definitely worth re-examining."

In fact, the history of the Cheongwadae site dates back to the Goryeo Dynasty. Kings Munjong and Sukjong built a secondary palace in Namgyeong. During the Joseon Dynasty, King Sejong created the rear garden of Gyeongbokgung Palace. Structures such as Seohyeonjeong, Chwirojeong, Gwanjeojeon, and Chungsundang, built at that time, were destroyed during the Japanese invasions of Korea (Imjin War). King Gojong restored the garden modeled after Changdeokgung's rear garden. He created Yungmundang and Yungmudang near Sangchunjae and Nokjiwon, which were used as military examination halls. Near the State Guest House, fields called Paldo Baemi and a study hall called Gyeongnongjae were established to pray for a bountiful harvest.

Accordingly, the Cultural Heritage Administration is currently conducting physical surveys to determine the presence of underground relics and preparing basic research to assess historical and cultural values. Although this research contrasts with the nature of the complex cultural space, Minister Park was unconcerned. He said, "We are preparing a living, breathing Cheongwadae so meticulously and precisely that there will be no room for conflict," adding, "We are concretizing plans with the belief that the power of culture can change presidential achievements."

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