Public tours of Cheongwadae, which had been open to the general public since May 10, 2022, will be completely suspended starting August 1. President Lee Jaemyung is expected to return to Cheongwadae within this year after facility renovations and security inspections are carried out. Cheongwadae, which served as the presidential office for 12 presidents from the first president Syngman Rhee to President Moon Jaein over the 74 years from August 15, 1948, when the government was established, until May 9, 2022, is once again set to become the center of power. During the presidency of Roh Taewoo, the presidential residence was completed first on October 25, 1990, and the main building was finished on September 4, 1991, bringing Cheongwadae to its current form.

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When I visited Cheongwadae at lunchtime on the 10th, it was bustling with crowds. Although I have toured Cheongwadae more than ten times, I had never seen so many people as on that day. Visitors had to wait in line for more than 30 minutes to enter the main building. It seemed that everyone was eager to visit before the tours are suspended.

On the 10th, a long line formed to tour the Blue House main building. Visitors had to wait more than 30 minutes to enter. Photo by So Jongsup

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Cheongwadae has already suspended tours for some facilities. From July 16 to July 31, indoor tours of the main building and other areas that had been open will be stopped. The presidential residence and Chimryugak are completely off-limits. Ounjeong, located behind the residence, and the "Cheongwadae Buddha Statue" are also not accessible. Visitors gather at the east parking lot of Gyeongbokgung and are transported by bus for guided outdoor tours only. The route covers the State Guest House, the front of the main building, the old main building site, and the green garden. Each session allows up to 200 people, and up to 2,000 people per day can participate. With the suspension of tours approaching, Cheongwadae is effectively taking a breather.

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Even when Cheongwadae was open, areas such as Yeomin-gwan, which served as office space for staff, were not open to the public, so renovations there are expected to proceed quickly. The State Guest House has long been used for external events, so there are no obstacles to its use. The main issues are the renovations and security inspections required for the main building and the presidential residence, both of which were fully open to the public. In particular, the residence where the president will live appears to require extensive renovations and thorough inspections. The facilities are outdated, and because they were exposed to the public, there may be vulnerabilities in security, such as the risk of wiretapping.

The former presidential residence at the Blue House appears to require extensive renovation due to outdated facilities and exposure. Photo by So Jongsup

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Upon inspecting the security facilities around Cheongwadae and the residence, including the barbed wire fences, I found holes and rust in several places. Deciding what to do with former medical facilities that were converted into restrooms is also a concern. If President Lee chooses to use the former residence as it is, it is highly likely that these will be restored to their original function as medical facilities. The oldest yew tree at Cheongwadae, estimated to be around 740 years old, has remained steadfast even during the 2 years and 3 months of vacancy. Despite the heat, it stands green and appears ready to welcome its new owner. The presidential office has already submitted and passed a total of 25.9 billion won in reserve funds related to the return to Cheongwadae at a Cabinet meeting.

Among the approximately 55,000 trees at the Blue House, the oldest is a yew tree estimated to be around 740 years old. It is a living witness that has observed the Blue House's history of glory and disgrace.

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During the presidential campaign, President Lee pledged to establish a "Presidential Office in Sejong." The National Agency for Administrative City Construction (NAACC) reported to the National Policy Planning Committee on May 23 that it would take approximately 4 years and 7 months from design to completion of the Sejong office.

Visitors are viewing the portraits of former presidents hanging in the space in front of the Sejong Room inside the main building of the Blue House in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

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