Presidential Standard to Be Raised at Cheong Wa Dae at Midnight on the 29th... President Lee Jae-myung Makes First Commute to the Blue House, Ending the Yongsan Era

[Financial News] The era of Cheong Wa Dae (the Blue House) will reopen on the 29th. It has been about three years and seven months since President Yoon Suk Yeol relocated the presidential office to Yongsan in May 2022. On the day President Lee Jae-myung makes his first commute to Cheong Wa Dae, the Presidential Standard of South Korea, symbolizing the presidential office, will be lowered at Yongsan and raised at Cheong Wa Dae at midnight.
According to the Office of the President of the Republic of Korea on the 28th, the official name of the office will revert to Cheong Wa Dae, and the office emblem (logo) will also return to the one previously used by Cheong Wa Dae. The Presidential Standard of South Korea, representing the nation’s head of state, is always flown at the president’s main office. With this, the 'Yongsan era' will officially end, and the 'Cheong Wa Dae era' will begin.
Observers both inside and outside the Office of the President of the Republic of Korea interpret this return as more than just a relocation of the presidential office. It is seen as a symbolic move to sever political ties with the Yongsan era, which was marked by events such as the December 3 Martial Law crisis and impeachment. The office is also focusing on achieving stable governance with the return to Cheong Wa Dae.
However, some point out that returning to Cheong Wa Dae does not immediately resolve the challenges associated with the Blue House. Cheong Wa Dae has often been criticized as an isolated palace, disconnected from public sentiment due to its geographic features and historical context, and as a symbol of authoritarian power. To avoid repeating this sense of distance, the new administration must demonstrate change through its management style rather than relying solely on the symbolism of the space.
The Office of the President of the Republic of Korea plans to continue its 'working Cheong Wa Dae' approach by centering the president’s and staff’s offices around Yeomingwan. President Lee is expected to conduct most of his work from his office in Yeomingwan, one of the offices located in both the main building and Yeomingwan. The offices of the three senior secretaries (Chief of Staff, Policy Chief, and National Security Chief) will also be in Yeomingwan, aiming to enhance decision-making speed and execution through a prompt reporting and decision system.
The methods of security and control are also closely linked to past controversies over the Blue House’s seclusion. The Presidential Security Service (PSS) has stated it will minimize restrictions on nearby hiking trails and maintain the current level of control over routes around Gwanghwamun, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Cheong Wa Dae, and Samcheong-dong. To further communication with the public, there is also discussion of maintaining or expanding live national broadcasts and other open formats.
However, as renovations of the Cheong Wa Dae residence are not yet complete, President Lee will commute to Cheong Wa Dae from the Hannam-dong Presidential Residence for the time being. The renovations and security checks are expected to be finished in the first half of next year.

west@fnnews.com Seong Seok-woo Reporter