Becoming a Tourist Attraction, Former South Korean Presidential Office Cheong Wa Dae Beautified and Equipped with Supporting Facilities

Cheong Wa Dae or Blue House South Korea. (Wikimedia Commons/Christian140)

JAKARTA - South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said earlier this month, the complex of the former presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae, which was opened to public access about a year ago, will be transformed into a multi-faceted tourist landmark with historical, cultural and natural values.

The ministry unveiled its basic plans for operating the complex, as it was commissioned by the presidential office to manage the complex at the end of last month.

Under the plan, Cheong Wa Dae will be given a face-lift to become a dynamic place where visitors can learn about Korean history, as well as enjoy culture and nature in one place.

It will then be turned into a tourist landmark in downtown Seoul, combining the rich cultural and historical resources with the nature of Mount Bugak in the surrounding area, according to the ministry.

Also known as the Blue House, this building has been the office and residence of the presidency for more than seven decades, before President Yoon Suk-yeol moved his office to the former defense ministry building in Yongsan, central Seoul, and opened the former complex to the public in May 2018. Then.

During the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), it was used as the back garden of Gyeongbok Palace, the main royal palace.

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

Months after the opening, the ministry unveiled plans to use the complex as an arts center with the use of the main office building and Yeongbingwan, a state reception hall, for art exhibitions and concerts as the centerpiece of the plan.

During a press conference held at the ministry's office in downtown Sejong, Yoon Seong-cheon, a ministry official in charge of the Cheong Wa Dae management plan said there was no change in the ministry's plans for the use of the complex except for Yeonbingwan.

President Yoon had originally planned to build a new state guest house near his office that would replace Yeongbingwan, which was used as the official venue for dinners and various cultural events for state guests before he took office. However, he failed to do so, following controversy over the enormous construction costs.

"We can see Yeongbingwan will continue to be used for its original purpose in this situation," the ministry official said.

"I think we will be able to use it for other purposes in the future when the issue is resolved," he added.

To attract more tourists, the government will prepare various exhibitions, shows and tour programs related to the four main features of the complex - history, cultural arts, cultural assets and trees.

The ministry plans to use 3.6 billion won (2.7 million US dollars) of its budget to hold art exhibitions and 6.4 billion won for cultural performances in Cheong Wa Dae this year.

There will also be a special exhibition highlighting the former president's life and philosophy in the main building, the ministry said. Visitors will be able to experience the essence of Korean culture throughout the year through various performances held at the outdoor facility.

The plan, marking the first anniversary of the complex's opening in May, will be performances of Korean traditional music, dance, Korean creative opera, and Western classical music put on by a national arts troupe.