'Night Walk at Cheong Wa Dae' pre-opening event delights local residents
Night view of Cheong Wa Dae in Jongno District, Seoul / Courtesy of Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
By Jung Da-hyun
Residents living near Cheong Wa Dae, the former presidential office and residence for over seven decades, were invited to a special event on Wednesday night. The event served as a preview to the official opening of "Night Walk at Cheong Wa Dae" on Thursday, the presidential office's first nighttime display this year.
The “Night Walk at Cheong Wa Dae,” which takes place from June 8 to 19, is a program that allows 2,000 visitors per day to participate in an evening tour around Cheong Wa Dae for two hours, starting from 7:30 p.m.
Following residents' concerns, such as noise and traffic congestion that arose after last year's public opening of Cheong Wa Dae, Wednesday's pre-invitation event was specifically organized for residents of five areas nearby: Cheongunhyoja-dong, Buam-dong, Sajik-dong, Gahoe-dong and Samcheong-dong, all located in Seoul's Jongno District.
Visitors are seen enjoying musical performances held in the gardens of Cheong Wa Dae in Jongno District, Seoul, during the “Night Walk at Cheong Wa Dae” event. Courtesy of Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
Around 620 residents attended the event at Cheong Wa Dae on Wednesday night. After entering through the main gate, they took a stroll through the expansive main garden and the main building. The group then explored the small garden, the presidential residence, another garden area, and Sangchunjae ― a traditional hanok-style building. This unique event provided visitors with a rare chance to admire the presidential residence illuminated at night, revealing its splendor in a new light.
Each visitor also received a welcome gift consisting of an umbrella and a mosquito-repellent bracelet. Attendees appreciated this friendly gesture, remarking that it added a thoughtful touch to the event. Lee Jeong-hyun, 26, who attended the event with a friend, expressed satisfaction. "With a smaller crowd, it's much easier to look around and take photos," she said. "It was a nice surprise to receive a gift, too. I felt appreciated and it made the event more enjoyable."
Musical performance was held throughout the event in the small garden and at the presidential residence, providing delightful entertainment for the attendees. The small garden, in particular, attracted visitors. Two musicians gave a 20-minute performance of traditional Korean music played on the “haegeum,” a traditional Korean string instrument, and the “saenghwang,” a reed instrument with various pipes of different lengths.
"The ambiance here, with the beautiful sounds of the haegeum, truly delighted me," said Lee Geum-soon, 62, one of the visitors who attended the preview. The location also helped to set the mood, with the garden providing a tranquil atmosphere and the former presidential residence adding a touch of grandeur.
Musicians Kim Yae-ji, left, and Han Ji-su perform with traditional Korean musical instruments at Cheong Wa Dae, Seoul, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Nandita Kothari
Compared to last year's night opening, the focus of the event this year is to allow visitors to freely explore the premises without a specific tour guide. Last summer, only 100 individuals per day were admitted to participate in the night tour accompanied by a guide. However, this year, up to 2,000 people can attend the event each day and enjoy a self-guided experience.
The official tour program runs until June 19. Entry is restricted to individuals who have made advance reservations, and on Thursday, the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation announced that all available slots have been booked. However, canceled tickets will be converted into real-time available seats, and reservations can still be made online through
Cheong Wa Dae's management planning bureau website
.