SEOUL– President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol announced his decision Sunday to move the presidential office to the defense ministry compound, calling the current presidential palace Cheong Wa Dae a symbol of “imperial” presidency.
Yoon said at a press conference that he will move into the compound in Seoul’s central district of Yongsan immediately after his inauguration on May 10. On the same day, Cheong Wa Dae will be fully opened to the public, he said.
“It’s a difficult task, but it’s a decision I made for the future of the country,” he said at his transition team’s headquarters.
“I ask the people to understand that this is not simply a relocation of space but my determination to properly serve them and work properly, as well as to fulfill my promise to them,” he said.
Yoon promised during the campaign to relocate the presidential office to the Gwanghwamun government complex and “return” Cheong Wa Dae to the public. The pledge was intended to demonstrate his commitment to working closely with his aides and interacting frequently with the people.
Yoon told the news conference that the Gwanghwamun government complex, including the foreign ministry building, proved unsuitable due to security issues and inconveniences caused to the public.
The defense ministry compound, he said, is already fitted with the necessary national security facilities and minimizes inconveniences to the public.
Yoon also said the presidential residence will move from Cheong Wa Dae to one of the official residences in Hannam-dong, close to the defense ministry.
Source: Yonhap News Agency