Yoon hosts party to mark presidential office relocation

President Yoon Suk-yeol poses with Afghans who fled the Taliban takeover last year during an event to mark the relocation of the presidential office to the former defense ministry building in Yongsan District in central Seoul, Sunday. Yoon invited about 400 people, including Yongsan residents, salaried workers, small business owners and children to the event that took place at the courtyard of the presidential compound after it was moved from Jongno District on Yoon's May 10 inauguration. Yonhap

President Yoon Suk-yeol hosted a "housewarming" event in the front yard of the presidential office in central Seoul on Sunday, inviting some 400 neighbors and others to celebrate the relocation of the office.

Living up to his campaign pledge, Yoon has moved the presidential office to the former defense ministry building in Yongsan from Cheong Wa Dae in line with his campaign pledge to connect better with people.

About 400 residents of Yongsan, young Afghan refugees and small business owners were invited to the event held in time for the completion of remodeling work at the defense ministry building, according to officials.

President Yoon Suk-yeol poses in the courtyard with 100 children who were invited to a party on Sunday to mark the relocation of the presidential office to the former defense ministry building in Yongsan District in central Seoul. Yonhap

President Yoon Suk-yeol speaks on stage at the presidential office during a party on Sunday to mark its relocation to the former defense ministry building in Yongsan District in central Seoul. He thanked the people for welcoming him and presidential staff to the new presidential compound since his May 10 inauguration. Yonhap

"I thank you for allowing me and the presidential office staff into Yongsan and giving us a warm welcome," Yoon said. "I will work harder."

"I think South Korea and the whole world will be able to become happier when South Koreans, currently in a difficult situation, and people across the world have the sense of becoming one and unite," the president noted.

President Yoon Suk-yeol holds up a drawing he received as a gift from Afghan children during a party Sunday to mark the relocation of the presidential office to the former defense ministry building in Yongsan District in central Seoul. The children were among nearly 400 Afghans and their family members who came to Korea in August 2021 as "persons of special merit" for supporting Korea's operation before the Taliban took control of Afghanistan. Yonhap

President Yoon Suk-yeol poses with children before a wallboard displaying drawings, themed "A Republic of Korea that children dream of," during a party on Sunday at the courtyard of the presidential office to mark its relocation to the former defense ministry building in Yongsan District in central Seoul. The exhibition was part of events, including a flea market and snack bar, welcoming about 400 guests. Yonhap

President Yoon Suk-yeol holds a wrapped cookie while looking around a snack booth during a party on Sunday to mark the relocation of the presidential office to the former defense ministry building in Yongsan District in central Seoul. Yonhap

The Sunday event included a flea market and a street food event, with small merchants operating around the presidential office taking part.

Yoon's wife, Kim Keon-hee, did not join the event due to "other engagements," according to officials. (Yonhap)

Site Map E-paper Subscribe Register LogIn
Site Map E-paper Subscribe Register LogIn