Rescheduled As Presidential Office, Security Around Cheong Wa Dae Tightened

Cheong Wa Dae or Blue House South Korea. (Wikimedia Commons/Korean Culture and Information Service/Jeon Han)

JAKARTA - The South Korean police have increased security around Cheong Wa Dae or Blue House, as plans to restore its function as the Presidential Office by the end of the year.

Local media on Sunday reported that Jongno Police Station was reviewing plans to restore 24-hour operations at the nearest police post in preparation for relocation.

Currently, the police post operates with a reduced number of staff and is only open from 09.00 to 18.00 on weekdays. It is expected to resume operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with four rotating teams each consisting of five officers to strengthen security.

Meanwhile, Seoul Metropolitan Police units in charge of security on site and perimeter around Cheong Wa Dae are also reportedly completing preparatory work.

These steps were taken in line with preparations made by President Lee Jae Myung's administration to move from the current presidential office in Yongsan District, Seoul, to Cheong Wa Dae in the next two months.

"Constructions are underway with the target of completion by the end of the year," said Kang Hoon-sik, chief of presidential staff, while speaking of the relocation during an audit session of the National Assembly last week.

However, relocation of the president's residence back to the compound may not be possible at that time and could be extended to the first half of next year, Kang said, citing ongoing construction and further security preparations.

It is known, President Lee said the presidential office should return to Cheong Wa Dae since his presidential campaign, for historical reasons, cultural significance, and security benefits.

Under Lee's predecessor, former President Yoon Suk Yeol, the office was moved to a former defense ministry building in Yongsan District in 2022, while Cheong Wa Dae opened to the public as a cultural site.

Along with the plan to return the function, public tours have been suspended from August 1 as preparations have begun.

The re-imposition of the Cheong Wa Dae security zone is expected to affect the surrounding streets and could complicate protest management, as currently no law is in effect to directly limit demonstrations near the presidential complex.

Protests within 100 meters of the president's residence have long been banned, but the Constitutional Court overturned the restrictions in December 2022, with a ruling declaring the restrictions too restrictive freedom of expression.

Police said they were preparing alternative measures under applicable laws to maintain security.