Cheong Wa Dae becomes place for everyone

A swarm of visitors approaches the main gate of Cheong Wa Dae in central Seoul, May 10, during a celebratory event to mark the full public opening of the former presidential office and residence. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

7 months after full opening, ex-presidential office enlivens tourism, cultural activities

By Park Han-sol

More than seven months have passed since Cheong Wa Dae, the former presidential office and residence, was opened to the public.

It was May 10, the day of the inauguration of President Yoon Suk-yeol, when the heavily secured presidential compound sitting just north of Gyeongbok Palace in central Seoul opened its doors fully to the public for the first time in 74 years.

Its opening marked the president's pledge to return the compound, which was the symbol of the pinnacle of power and authority, to the people and relocate his office to the former Ministry of National Defense building in Yongsan District.

After making reservations online, visitors can walk around structures that long served as symbols of political power in Korea ― including the iconic Bongwan (main office building), Sangchunjae (guesthouse built in a traditional Korean hanok style), Nokjiwon (garden in front of Sangchunjae), Chunchugwan (press center for correspondents), Yeongbingwan (state reception hall) and the presidential residence.

As of mid-December, Cheong Wa Dae has drawn over 2.74 million visitors ― more than twice the figure seen last year at Gyeongbok Palace, one of Seoul's most popular tourist attractions.

Artists with disabilities pose for a photo at the opening ceremony of "Into the People, Into Harmony," a group exhibition held at Cheong Wa Dae's Chunchugwan, Aug. 31. Courtesy of Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

In July, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced its plans to transform Cheong Wa Dae gradually into an open, multi-purpose cultural complex.

In fact, the former presidential office is set to house an art museum, a presidential memorial hall and an arboretum in the coming years. The compound is currently home to over 600 works of art and traditional cultural assets, as well as a woodland occupied by some 50,000 trees and flowers.

As part of its transition, Cheong Wa Dae has already hosted a string of art events this year.

Chunchugwan was turned into a gallery from Aug. 31 to Sept. 19 for an exhibition that put the spotlight on the works of 50 artists with disabilities.

The show brought together some 60 paintings, calligraphic works and handicrafts under the theme of "Into the People, Into Harmony," attracting over 70,000 visitors and selling 25 works of art throughout its 20-day run.

The featured creators included caricature illustrator Jung Eun-hye, who got her big break as an actor this year in the popular drama "Our Blues," and embroidery master Lee Jung-hee.

The press center-turned-gallery returned with its second exhibition on Dec. 22, this time highlighting some of the country's literary giants of the 20th century and their magnum opuses.

The ongoing show offers a chance to view the iconic masterpieces penned by the likes of Yi Sang, Yun Dong-ju, Yom Sang-seop and Hyun Jin-geon, who all lived and worked in the neighborhood of today's Seochon near Cheong Wa Dae. A total of 91 literary works ― which include rare first editions housed by the National Museum of Korean Literature ― in addition to the writers' photographic portraits, will be on view until Jan. 16, 2023.

A visitor looks at books and works of art displayed as part of the ongoing exhibition at Cheong Wa Dae's Chunchugwan that highlights four Korean literary giants of the 20th century and their magnum opuses. Newsis

The former presidential compound has also become a stately outdoor concert venue for eye-catching music performances.

On the evening of May 22, 12 days after the site's historic full opening, KBS' "Open Concert" unfolded in the large garden in front of the main office building. This was the second time for the national public broadcaster to host its signature program at Cheong Wa Dae after the first one held 27 years ago in 1995.

The concert boasted a star-studded lineup, inviting pianist Lim Dong-hyek, soloist Gummy, traditional "gugak" musician Song Soo-hee, K-pop acts Tomorrow X Together (TXT) and Brave Girls, among others, to the special stage.

Two other notable productions were brought to life against the backdrop of Cheong Wa Dae in October: singer Rain's solo performance unveiled on Netflix's first Korean music show "Take 1," and flash mobs led by K-pop cover dancers from 12 countries, including the United States, Poland and Mexico, who gathered in Seoul to compete in the finals of the annual K-pop Cover Dance Festival.

Finalists of the 2022 K-Pop Cover Dance Festival perform a flash mob in the Cheong Wa Dae compound, Oct. 14. Korea Times photo by Choi Joo-yeon

The former presidential compound also hosted special midsummer nighttime tours from July 20 to Aug. 1.

Held twice a day with up to 50 individuals per session, the 90-minute tour allowed visitors to look around Bongwan, as well as the exterior of Sangchunjae and the Nokjiwon garden under the starry night sky.

According to the Cultural Heritage Administration, 55,132 people entered a draw to win the limited number of 1,200 tickets for the night tours.

The throng of visitors to Cheong Wa Dae is expected to boost tourism within the neighboring community in the future, according to the government.

The notable landmarks nearby include Gyeongbok Palace, the recently refurbished Gwanghwamun Square, Mount Bugak, as well as the Samcheong-dong area, which houses high-profile art museums and galleries like the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea.

"The area that covers Gwanghwamun Square, Gyeongbok Palace and Cheong Wa Dae has been the center of Korea's long history, rich culture and democratization," Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said at the square's reopening ceremony in August.

Visitors step outside the main office building of Cheong Wa Dae during a press event on the evening of July 19, which was held one day before special midsummer nighttime tours of the former presidential compound kicked off. Yonhap