Where Are the Roots of Cheongwadae History... Clash Between Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Cultural Heritage Administration

Cultural Heritage Administration Conducts Physical Survey of Gyeongbokgung Rear Garden... Preparing Basic Investigation
Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Announces Use of Cultural and Art Exhibition Spaces... Cultural Heritage Administration Union Protests
Differences in Views Rooted in Cheongwadae Awareness, Minister Park Bo-gyun Emphasizes Reexamination from Rhee Syngman Era
Cultural Heritage Administration Focuses on 1000-Year History... Actively Exploring Cultural Property Designation Measures

On the 11th, citizens visiting Cheongwadae in Jongno-gu, Seoul, are touring the main building. The Cheongwadae opening event allows 39,000 visitors daily, divided into six sessions from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with 6,500 people per session, only for those who won the online application, until the 22nd. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Goryeo established its capital with three capitals (Samgyeong): Gaegyeong (Kaesong), Seogyeong (Pyongyang), and Donggyeong (Gyeongju). King Munjong designated Namgyeong in 1068 because Donggyeong was far from Gaegyeong. This is the current site of Cheongwadae (the Blue House). King Sukjong even considered relocating the capital. He seriously reviewed the proposal by the geomancer Kim Wi-je to move the capital to Namgyeong. He personally visited the site to assess the terrain and built a secondary palace (Igung) where the king would stay during visits. Taejo, who founded the Joseon Dynasty, intended to build a new palace here but, due to limited space, constructed Gyeongbokgung Palace on a flat area slightly further south.

King Sejong developed the vacant land as the rear garden of Gyeongbokgung Palace. Structures such as Seohyeonjeong, Chwirojeong, Gwanjeojeon, and Chungsundang, built at that time, were destroyed during the Imjin War. King Gojong initiated restoration efforts modeled after Changdeokgung Palace’s rear garden. He built Yungmundang, Yungmudang, and Chunan-dang near the current Sangchunjae and Nokjiwon. Near the present Yeongbingwan, he established Paldobaemi, a rice field symbolizing a wish for a bountiful harvest, and Gyeongnongjae, a study hall. These sites disappeared during the Japanese colonial period, making it impossible to identify them. Since Cheongwadae has been used as the presidential residence, on-site investigations were not feasible.

The opening of Cheongwadae to the public last May marks a turning point in revisiting history. The Cultural Heritage Administration is conducting physical surveys to determine the presence of underground relics. Preparations are also underway for basic research to assess historical and cultural values. This is preliminary work to review preservation and utilization plans for the rear garden of Gyeongbokgung Palace. The survey will last about four months, aiming to establish a preservation and management plan.

It is uncertain whether the process will proceed smoothly. On the 21st, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced in a presidential briefing that parts of the Cheongwadae main building and the presidential residence would be used as cultural and art exhibition spaces. Plans were also announced to create presidential historical and cultural spaces, an arboretum, and a sculpture park. Minister Park Bo-gyun stated, "We will transform Cheongwadae into a premium exhibition space like the Palace of Versailles in France," adding, "The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will lead overall operations."

Currently, Cheongwadae is managed by the Cultural Heritage Administration’s Cheongwadae Public Opening Promotion Team. There have been no discussions with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism regarding future management authority. On the 25th, the National Public Officials Labor Union’s Cultural Heritage Administration branch issued a statement demanding clarification, saying, "Was the current managing body, the Cultural Heritage Administration, excluded from prior discussions? Was this unilaterally notified by the so-called higher ministry?"

The differing views between the two agencies stem from their perceptions of Cheongwadae’s roots. The Cultural Heritage Administration looks back about 1,000 years to when Namgyeong was designated, while the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism focuses on 1948, when the Republic of Korea was established. The latter’s plan to decorate the main building site as a symbolic space reflecting the president’s leadership and life confirms this. The Ministry faced difficulties with related projects, including restoring a model of the old main building site (the former Governor-General’s residence) demolished under President Kim Young-sam’s directive. Minister Park emphasized, "It is a cultural trace of presidents who endured the founding of the government, the Korean War, industrialization, and democratization."

Minister Park expressed similar views multiple times in columns during his tenure as a JoongAng Ilbo journalist. In a 2020 article, he wrote, "Under the Moon Jae-in administration, the narrative about Syngman Rhee is one of hardship. The frame ‘Syngman Rhee was a stooge of the U.S.’ operates. That is a despicable slander. The truth is the opposite. He did not compromise with U.S. policy on the Korean Peninsula. His achievements are the fruits of resistance." In a 2011 column, he stated, "The April 19 generation cannot monopolize evaluations of Syngman Rhee. The historical imagination of younger generations about his life should not be blocked. Many young people seek a balanced perspective."

Can these two histories be highlighted together? Cultural heritage expert A said, "If the Cheongwadae structures are neither demolished nor rebuilt, there should be no major conflicts," but also pointed out, "The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism seems to be rushing to assert dominance." He emphasized, "Cheongwadae is important as a presidential space but also holds 1,000 years of history. There is a need to better inform the public about this." Cultural heritage expert B added, "The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism can wait to review the Cultural Heritage Administration’s academic findings before planning. We should wait for the basic survey results, expected to be completed within the year."

As the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism accelerates its efforts, the Cultural Heritage Administration cannot remain passive. On the 25th, the Cultural Heritage Subcommittee resolved to actively explore cultural heritage designation plans that preserve the historical and locational significance of the Cheongwadae area by subcommittee. A Cultural Heritage Administration official said, "If necessary, we plan to form a joint subcommittee to proceed." If designated as cultural heritage, the Ministry’s plans will face obstacles. The proposed sculpture park near Nokjiwon is a prime example. Nearby are over 120 species of trees and commemorative trees planted by past presidents. Many scholars consider the area important academically, naturally, and geographically because it retains the original form of a forest from 200 to 300 years ago, and it possesses rarity and uniqueness. It is highly likely to be designated as a natural monument.

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