South Korea’s Presidential Blue House welcomes tourists

The South Korean government is urging more foreign visitors to avail of the public viewing of its former presidential residence, Cheong Wa Dae Palace, commonly known as the Presidential Blue House.

For decades, the Blue House (Cheong Wa Dae), which was named after its distinctive blue roof tiles, has served as a symbol of power and governance in South Korea.

It has been a residence for the country’s top leaders since the first South Korean President, Rhee Syng-man, was elected in 1948. While the Palace has gone through multiple transformations and restorations over the years, its vivid blue roof remained, depicting traditional Korean architecture.

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol during his inauguration on 10 May 2022, announced that the Blue House will be publicly open, fulfilling his promise to relocate the presidential office to the Defence Ministry Building in Yongsan District — to make his administration more accessible and government-friendly to the Korean people.

The incumbent President said his relocation primarily targets to make his office closer to the citizens which will allow for “better communications” between the leaders and the public.

Read more: https://tribune.net.ph/2023/05/16/south-koreas-presidential-blue-house-welcomes-tourists/