Foreign Visitors to Cheongwadae Surge... Over 8,000 This Month

by Lee Jonggil

Published 26 Apr.2023 09:26(KST)

Updated 26 Apr.2023 10:14(KST)

"On-site Ticketing Cap Set at 2,000 People"

On the 26th, citizens visiting Cheongwadae in Jongno-gu, Seoul, are touring the interior of the main building. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

The number of foreign visitors to Cheong Wa Dae has surged. According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on the 26th, the number of visitors to Cheong Wa Dae last month and this month (as of the 24th) was 153,900 and 183,000, respectively. Among them, the proportion of foreigners was 4.4% (6,790) and 4.8% (8,759), respectively. Since the opening of Cheong Wa Dae, this exceeds 1.7% (about 56,000) up to this month.

Choi Young-jin, head of the Cheong Wa Dae Management and Utilization Promotion Team at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said, "This is a level difficult to handle with the current on-site ticket issuance limit." Foreigners, people with disabilities, and those aged 65 and over can enter up to 1,000 people per day without prior reservation. Considering the increased demand from foreign visitors, the Ministry plans to raise the daily limit to 2,000. Choi predicted, "Since the 'Top 10 Cheong Wa Dae Area Tourist Courses' were recently announced, foreign visits may increase further."