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This is the best option you can take if you don’t have a Korean phone number. Within the day, a confirmation of your reservation will be sent to your email (so if you haven’t received it, check your spam folder). Note that, to be able to register on the official website, you need to have a local mobile number, which you can get by purchasing a sim card at Incheon Airport. To visit Cheongwadae Seoul, make a reservation on the official website; simply click “Visit Cheongwadae” on the homepage to get started.
Notable South Korean Presidents
Initially a royal villa during the Goryeo Dynasty in Hanyang, it later became the back garden of Gyeongbokgung Palace in the Joseon era. During the Japanese occupation, it transformed into a government administrative building. In 1948, with the establishment of the Republic of Korea, President Syngman Rhee renamed it “Gyeong Mu Dae” and used it as both an office and residence. The gregarious main building, along with several embellishments, were completed during the sixth president Roh Tae-woo’s term after the successful 1988 Summer Olympics.
DMZ 3rd Invasion Tunnel & Gamaksan Suspension Bridge Day Tour
From there, you will be able to select a date and time that is convenient for you, and provide some basic personal information such as your name and contact details. You will also need to select the number of tickets you want to reserve and entry is free. Once your reservation is confirmed, you will receive a bar code with details on how to access the Blue House on the day of your visit. Designed in the traditional Hanok style, Sangchunjae is a venue where traditional Korean artwork is showcased to guests.
History of the Blue House in Seoul
Since the establishment of the Republic of Korea in 1948, it has accommodated President Syngman Rhee to President Moon Jae-in. Make sure to bring important IDs for verification purposes (like your passport or Alien Registration Card). But still, to be able to join the tour, it’s best if you secure a reservation online ahead of time, because about 10,000 people come to see the Korean Blue House weekly. Currently, the president has opted to commute from his home to the new office, built in a Defense Ministry complex near Yongsan Park.
Aim to arrive between 20 and 30 minutes before the start of your trip. Bring your confirmation code or, if enrolling in person, your passport to be admitted to the tour. A reservation on the official website is required to visit Cheongwadae. You can make a reservation by going to the official website (here), filling out the online reservation form, and specifying your preferred visit date. You can hit two stones with one bird by visiting the Gyeongbokgung Palace and exiting the back gate towards Cheongwadae.
Did a South Korean ‘prophet’ advise Yoon to move out of Blue House? - South China Morning Post
Did a South Korean ‘prophet’ advise Yoon to move out of Blue House?.
Posted: Wed, 22 Feb 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
The Presidential Residence
On the first floor, there is a Korea Tourism Exhibition Hall, a souvenir shop, and a shelter, and on the second floor, there is a Cheong Wa Dae Hall and a public communication experience center. In January 1968, North Korean infiltrators nearly reached the building in a bid to assassinate President Park Chung Hee during the Blue House raid. In the ensuing melee, 28 North Koreans, 26 South Koreans, and four Americans were killed. The unit marched along Segeomjeong Road near Jahamun toward the Blue House, passing several National Police and ROKA units en route. On January 17, 1968, at 11 p.m., they infiltrated the DMZ by cutting through the fencing of the U.S. On January 19, at 5 a.m., after having crossed the Imjin River, they set up camp on Simbong Mountain.
What a Concert by K-Pop Legend Rain in South Korea’s Former Presidential Compound Says About the Country’s Politics
Dress appropriately to avoid any snags, and remember that the event starts strictly on time, so report to the Public Information Hall at least 20 minutes before the set time. Visiting the Blue House in Korea can teach you about Korea’s extensive political and cultural past, and how it has shaped the country into what it is today. The Seoul MMCA is a fabulous art museum just east of Gyeongbokgung Palace. There are always amazing exhibitions there and the layout itself and buildings that make up the museum are also really interesting too. Each room in the building shows a different purpose for it, while at the end there’s a display of all of the First Ladies of South Korea.
In October 2002, during a hearing on remittance to North Korea, Rep. Uhm Ho-sung of the Grand National Party publicly referenced the conference for the first time. With the establishment of the Republic of Korea in 1948, President Syngman Rhee called the building "Gyeong Mu Dae" 경무대; 景武臺; lit. Scenery–force Pavilion), which was the name of one of the few old buildings for former official residence there. “As for traffic issues, I can already see more people visiting here.
Visiting the Blue House in Seoul, South Korea, offers a unique opportunity to witness the historical and political significance of this iconic residence. From its architectural grandeur to the rich cultural heritage it represents, the Blue House holds a special place in the hearts of Koreans. Together with my Global Korea Supporters, we started our tour at Chunchugwan, which was constructed to serve as a venue for the President’s press conferences and a reporting room for reporters. After checking in, you will receive a visitors pass that you must wear around your neck for the duration of the tour. Taking a tour of Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House) is free but be prepared to make reservations at least three weeks in advance as tours can fill quickly.
The new President Yoon Suk-Yeol, who was elected in 2022, decided not to live there and opened the residence up to the public. Yonhap has cited security officials who say that security is better at the new location, which is not overlooked by tall buildings and is militarily more defensible. It also comes with its own underground bunker, as the Blue House does, to double as a war room in national emergencies. A survey released in March showed that some 58% of South Koreans were against the relocation, with many critics saying the move had implications for national security and cost. Some also worry that the issue has taken precedence over more pressing matters, like increased nuclear activity in North Korea and post-pandemic economic recovery.

There is also a large front area with a garden designed in the traditional Korean manner and separate men’s quarters (Sarangchae). This Western-style room in the East Wing of the main building was where small banquets, lunches, and dinners were held. The creme interior walls and big blue painting with the small garden in the back is surely a great place for appointments. Cheong Wa Dae, also known as the Blue House, served as the official residence and office of the South Korean President for 74 remarkable years, from 1948 to 2022. Nestled amidst the scenic backdrop of Bugaksan Mountain in the heart of Seoul, this iconic complex witnessed pivotal moments in Korean history.
The 30th Battalion, Capital Defense Command, killed four commandos in Buam-dong and on Bukak Mountain. Meanwhile, the ROK (Republic of Korea) High Command added the 30th Infantry Division and Airborne Corps to the search and police began searching along Hongje-dong, Jeongreung, and Bukak Mountain. Given the increased security measures that had been implemented throughout the city and realizing their original plan had little chance of success, the team leader improvised a new plan. For now, that leaves the Blue House to take on an unfamiliar role as a cultural destination.
If you do not speak Korean, you can use the supplied audio tour guide for free. Known as "The Blue House Raid," North Korea sent 31 military commandos to assassinate then-South Korean President Park Chung-he in 1968. The attempt was unsuccessful, and almost all of the soldiers were either killed or committed suicide. Yoon said his decision was motivated by his desire to be a people-first president. Thousands of people have gathered near the Blue House in the past for mass rallies and marches. Nearby residents said they suffered from noise and traffic congestion.
Judging from the over 770,000 visitors between opening and June 6, not all South Koreans are opposed to the change. Besides the Rain concert, the Cultural Heritage Administration says there will be a soap bubble extravaganza this month—even a circus. The cynical will say that the Blue House is no stranger to the latter. The historian Breuker shrugs it off, pointing out that all seats of power have dramatic pasts.
And the roof is covered by 150,000 Korean-style blue tiles crafted to last for a century. This location is the most popular spot in Cheongwadae and is recognized for its distinctive blue roof. The traditional Korean-style building boasts about 150,000 blue tiles, creating an impressive look. Originally, it was where the presidents did their work and hosted guests, but now it’s open to the public as a museum showcasing the lives of past presidents. The Blue House, also known as the Cheong Wa Dae, was the executive office and official residence of the President of the Republic of Korea.
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