The Yongsan era, marked by the "12·3 Martial Law" and the "Presidential Impeachment," has come to an end, and the Blue House era has begun anew. The most notable feature of the Lee Jaemyung administration's Blue House is that the president and his key aides work together in the "Yeomin 1 Building," which serves as their shared workspace.

The main office in the main building was established in 1991 when former President Roh Tae-woo rebuilt the Blue House main building, symbolizing the president's status and authority. However, since it is about 500 meters away from Yeomin Building, where most aides work, face-to-face briefings required either driving or walking for more than 15 minutes. This led to criticism of inefficiency and fostered the image of a "forbidding palace."

In response, President Lee plans to primarily use the office in Yeomin 1 Building. The main building will be reserved for major events with significant symbolic value, such as summits, national ceremonies, and meetings with foreign dignitaries.

President Lee works at Yeomin 1 Building
Shares workspace with key aides
Main building used only for major events

Interest in whether the 'ancient palace' image will be shed
Relocation of the residence may take a few more months

On the 29th, President Lee Jae-myung arrived at the Blue House main building. Photo by Yonhap News

Key aides will also gather in one space. The "three chiefs"-Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik, Policy Chief Kim Yong-bum, and National Security Chief Wi Sung-rak-will all work in Yeomin 1 Building. This move brings together chiefs who were previously spread across Yeomin 1, 2, and 3 Buildings to improve work efficiency.

In addition to the three chiefs, the Yeomin 1 Building houses the protocol secretary's office and speechwriting aides who work closely with the president, as well as Woo Sangho, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs; Ha Jungwoo, Senior Secretary for AI Future Planning; and Ha Jun-kyung, Senior Secretary for Economic Growth. The Yeomin 2 Building contains the National Situation Room and the Civil Affairs Office, while the Yeomin 3 Building houses offices for the National Security Office and the Senior Secretary for Public Relations. Some departments continue to work from the annex in Changseong-dong.

The Blue House plans to maintain a policy of transparent governance, further expanding online live broadcasts and other initiatives. The "open studio" previously located inside the Yongsan presidential office will be relocated to the Sarangchae, where no separate entry application is required, to broaden communication with the public. The Presidential Security Service will also maintain its principles of open and low-profile security. The "Daengdaeng Run" course-a dog-shaped running route from Gwanghwamun to Gyeongbokgung, the Blue House, and Samcheong-dong-will remain unchanged.

The Blue House has set "Korea’s Great Leap Forward: Presenting the National Vision for 2026" as its first core policy theme of the new era. Previously, Chief of Staff Kang appeared on the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation's YouTube channel on December 24 and stated, "Returning to the Blue House is a symbol of recovery and normalization."

However, the relocation of the presidential residence is expected to take several more months. This is due to severe damage that occurred when the Blue House was opened to the public during former President Yoon Suk-yeol's term. Chief of Staff Kang explained regarding the damage, "When I visited, I found that the walls are nearly one meter thick and reinforced with steel, so remodeling is taking a long time."

Meanwhile, President Lee is expected to commute for a while between Hannam-dong and the Blue House-a distance of about 8 to 9 kilometers. The Presidential Security Service plans to minimize inconvenience to citizens by keeping traffic control zones as small as possible.

On the 29th, officials raised the phoenix flag at the Blue House. The phoenix flag symbolizes the head of state of our country and is permanently displayed where the president's main office is located. President Lee Jae-myung will start working at the Blue House office from this day. The president's return to the Blue House marks the first time in 3 years and 7 months since May 2022. December 29, 2025, Yonhap News Agency

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President Lee Jae-myung's motorcade is entering the Blue House main building on the 29th. 2025.12.29 Yonhap News Agency

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President Lee Jae-myung is arriving at the Blue House main building, where the presidential office relocation work has been completed, for his first day of work on the 29th. 2025.12.29 Yonhap News Agency

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President Lee Jae-myung is having a conversation with his aides on his first day at the Blue House. 2025.12.29 Yonhap News Agency Photo by Yonhap

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On the 29th, supporters of President Lee Jae-myung are cheering for the president's first day at work in front of the Blue House. 2025.12.29 Yonhap News Agency

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