President Lee Jae Myung on Dec. 29 began his first day of work at Cheong Wa Dae, with his office officially returned to the former presidential compound in Seoul's Jongno-gu District about seven months after his inauguration. He is shown on Dec. 26 speaking at the Office of the President in Seoul's Yongsan-gu District at a luncheon for the relatives of those killed in the line of duty. (Office of the President)

By Kim Seon Ah

President Lee Jae Myung on Dec. 29 reported for work at Cheong Wa Dae, the original venue of the presidential office in Seoul's Jongno-gu District, about seven months after taking office.

This came 1,330 days after May 9, 2022, when then President Moon Jae-in spent the final day of his term at Cheong Wa Dae. His successor President Yoon Seok Yeol on May 10 that year began his term at the relocated office in the capital's Yongsan-gu District.

At midnight on Dec. 29, the Bonghwanggi (Phoenix Flag) symbolizing the president was hoisted at Cheong Wa Dae. The official name of the Office of the President was also changed back to Cheong Wa Dae with a new logo.

On his first day at Cheong Wa Dae, President Lee began with a tea meeting with his aides at the main hall of the compound, an event to be released to the media. He then visited the National Crisis Management Center there to check the country's overall security readiness.

Immediately after his inauguration in June, the presidential office began preparations to move back to Cheong Wa Dae. It began the full-scale relocation on Dec. 9 and completed it in three weeks.

The Presidential Security Service also finished reviewing security along with the National Intelligence Service, armed forces and police.

sofiakim218@korea.kr