Yi Whan-woo is a Korea Times journalist primarily covering finance. He writes in-depth articles on macroeconomy and financial markets and previously covered sports, politics, diplomacy and inter-Korean affairs, among others. Feel free to contact him at yistory@koreatimes.co.kr.
US envoy opens residence to public
People take a tour of the U.S. ambassador's residence Habib House in Jeong-dong, central Seoul, Saturday. Captured from U.S. Ambassador to Korea Harry Harris' Twitter
By Yi Whan-woo
By Yi Whan-woo
U.S. Ambassador to Korea Harry Harris opened his residence Habib House to the public, Saturday, eight days after anti-U.S. protesters broke into the compound.
This makes Harris the second among the 23 U.S. ambassadors here so far to allow locals to tour the ambassadorial residence next to Deoksu Palace in Jeong-dong, central Seoul.
Harris' predecessor, Mark Lippert, was the first U.S. envoy to welcome the public in May 2015.
“We opened Habib House grounds to the public today. Terrific event!” Harris tweeted, Saturday, with photos of visitors walking around the compound as well as one of his cats.
Habib House is mainly comprised of a reception hall and a residential mansion, both of which are examples of traditional Korean architecture, and the grounds contain a garden. The reception hall, formerly used as a legation building, is now designated as one of Seoul's cultural assets.
Calling it a “wonderful historic treasure in the heart of Seoul,” Harris explained the showcasing of Habib House was done in partnership with Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon.
The ambassador thanked Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency for its “powerful support.”
On Oct. 18, 19 university students, who described themselves as members of a liberal university students' group, staged a protest on the grounds of the house against U.S. plans to impose a bigger financial burden for the upkeep of American troops here.
The students used a ladder to climb the wall of the compound and urged Harris to leave the country. Police arrested the students.
Harris was absent at the time, as he was at a reception hosted by President Moon Jae-in at Cheong Wa Dae.
A former commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, Harris has been serving as U.S. ambassador to Korea since July 2018.