South Korea is preparing for a major symbolic and operational shift as President Lee Jae-myung’s administration plans to move the presidential office back to Cheong Wa Dae (the Blue House). A reserve budget of 25.9 billion KRW has been approved to facilitate this transition. But what does this mean for the public and for the government’s daily operations?
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| Cheong Wa Dae (the Blue House) |
Lee Jae-myung Administration Plans Return to the Blue House
On June 10, 2025, the Presidential Office officially announced the allocation of 25.9 billion KRW in reserve funds for the upcoming relocation of the presidential office from Yongsan back to Cheong Wa Dae. This move marks a key reversal of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration’s controversial relocation of the office to Yongsan in 2022.
Presidential spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung stated that the move is part of President Lee’s vision to normalize the national administrative system. According to Kang, the return will be implemented in phases, using weekends and holidays to minimize disruption to government operations.
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| Relocation Plan of Presidential Office from Yongsan back to the Blue House |
Temporary Closure of Cheong Wa Dae for Security and Renovation
In preparation for the return, the Blue House Foundation has posted a formal announcement titled "Adjusted Operations for Blue House Tours" on its official website and social media platforms. According to the notice:
- Tours will continue normally until July 14
- From July 16 to July 31, adjustments will be made to visitor limits, tour routes, and other logistics
- Starting August 1, all public tours will be temporarily suspended for safety and facility inspections
- Once the return to the Blue House is completed, limited public access may resume
The Cheong Wa Dae Foundation announced that after the full relocation, limited public access may resume depending on national security protocols and facility readiness.
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| Yongsan Presidental Office |
Budget Details and Cost Comparison with Yongsan Move
The approved reserve budget totals 25.9 billion KRW—about 69% of the 37.8 billion KRW used for the Yongsan relocation. This means the current plan is 11.9 billion KRW cheaper than the previous administration’s move, according to the presidential office.
Kang emphasized that contractors for the transition will be selected through a fair and transparent process. Office layouts within Cheong Wa Dae will also be optimized to improve communication and efficiency.
Political Controversy Over the Blue House Bunker
In related news, Democratic Party lawmaker Yoon Kun-young raised concerns about the former administration’s relocation of the presidential office to Yongsan. In an interview with MBC Radio, Yoon alleged that former President Yoon Suk-yeol transferred the underground security bunker from the Blue House to Yongsan.
“There was a rush to move the office to Yongsan, and because they couldn’t secure the necessary equipment, they dismantled and relocated the bunker from the Blue House,” Yoon claimed. He added that it’s unclear what exactly was removed, and a proper on-site verification is required to fully reactivate the bunker at its original location.
Learn Korean Through This News
Korean Text:
“대통령실은 10일 대통령 집무실의 청와대 복귀 비용으로 예비비 259억원을 편성해 의결했다고 밝혔다. 복귀 작업을 위해 청와대 관람은 다음 달 16일부터 조정해 운영하고 8월 1일부터 청와대 복귀 완료 시점까지는 임시 중단한다.”
Key Vocabulary:
- 대통령실 – Office of the President
- 대통령 집무실 – President’s office
- 청와대 – Blue House
- 복귀 – return
- 예비비 – reserve fund
- 편성하다 – to allocate, to arrange
- 의결하다 – to approve, to pass (a resolution)
- 복귀 작업 – return-related work
- 관람 – viewing, sightseeing
- 조정하다 – to adjust, to modify
- 임시 중단 – temporary suspension
- 완료 시점 – point of completion
Grammar Notes:
- ~을/를 위해(서): “for the purpose of…”, 복귀 작업을 위해 = for the return work
- ~부터 ~까지: “from... to...”, 8월 1일부터 복귀 완료 시점까지 = from August 1 until the return is complete
- ~게 되다: expresses a resulting state or passive outcome, 임시 중단하게 되다 = ends up being temporarily suspended
- ~다고 밝혔다: reported speech used in news reporting, 편성해 의결했다고 밝혔다 = stated that (they) approved the allocation
Translation:
“The Office of the President announced on the 10th that it approved the allocation of 25.9 billion won in reserve funds for the return of the president’s office to the Blue House. To carry out the return work, public viewing of the Blue House will be adjusted starting from the 16th of next month, and temporarily suspended from August 1 until the return is completed.”
References: yonhap news, khan news, daum news,
Keywords
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