Journalist
Ryu Yuna, Lee Jung-woo, Kim Hee-su, and Joonha Yoo
cannes2030@ajupress.com
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Look to license plates for clues to Pyongyang's shifting pecking order SEOUL, December 31 (AJP) - That North Korea’s supreme leader Kim Jong Un favors symbolism is hardly surprising. But his latest gesture suggests a particular flair for political semiotics. Kim has reportedly replaced the license plate on his state limousine — a Russian-made Aurus Senat gifted by President Vladimir Putin — with one bearing the number “7·27 0001.” The first three digits mark July 27, 1953, the date of the Korean War armistice. The remaining four leave little room for interpretation: No. 1. In Pyongyang, nothing is accidental. Recent footage aired by state broadcaster Korean Central Television (KCTV) suggests that license plates themselves have become a visible code for hierarchy inside the regime. The numbers “0002” and “0003” are now assigned to Premier Pak Thae-song, head of the Cabinet, and Choe Ryong-hae, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA), respectively. The sequencing — placing the premier ahead of the nominal head of state — has fueled speculation among analysts that the administrative arm of the government is gaining renewed prominence under Kim’s rule. At major public events, including the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Workers’ Party of Korea held in Pyongyang last October, Pak was seated immediately after Kim’s main guest, Chinese Premier Li Qiang, and ahead of Choe. In official party roll calls as well, Pak has been introduced before the SPA chief, reinforcing perceptions that he has emerged as the regime’s de facto second-in-command. “Formally, the president of the SPA Presidium functions as North Korea’s head of state, signing credentials and representing the country diplomatically,” Koh Yu-hwan, a professor of North Korean studies at Dongguk University, told AJP. “In practice, however, real authority often rests with the premier, who oversees economic management and state administration. It is similar to South Korea, where the National Assembly speaker ranks second in protocol but does not necessarily wield comparable political power.” Another Dongguk University scholar, Hwang Jin-tae, offered a complementary reading of the symbolism. “People are paying attention to the fact that the No. 2 plate was assigned to the premier,” he said in a separate interview with AJP. “Traditionally, the party was considered the ‘head’ and the Cabinet the ‘hands.’ But with the growing emphasis on regional development initiatives such as the ‘20×10 Regional Development Policy,’ which directly affects people’s livelihoods, the premier’s role appears to be gaining weight.” Hwang noted that similar interpretations surfaced during the tenure of former Premier Kim Tok-hun. “Even then, coverage highlighted the Cabinet’s responsibility for economic management,” he said. “Assigning numbers 2 and 3 to the heads of the executive and legislative branches may be symbolically fitting for a regime eager to project a more ‘normalized’ state structure.” Still, he cautioned, ultimate authority remains firmly within the Workers’ Party, particularly among senior figures such as Jo Yong-won, director of the Organization and Guidance Department, and Pak Jong-chon, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission. While internal symbolism may be shifting, observers in Seoul say Pyongyang’s external posture remains hard-edged. Kim Gunn, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, said North Korea may soon enter another phase of provocation aimed at strengthening its bargaining position with Washington. Kim, who previously served as South Korea’s ambassador to the United Kingdom and as chief nuclear negotiator, is now secretary of the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee. “The direction of North Korea’s policy this year will depend on decisions taken at the Ninth Party Congress,” he told AJP. “But the recent display of what appears to be a nuclear-powered submarine under construction suggests Pyongyang is preparing to raise tensions as a negotiating tactic.” “The key for Seoul and Washington,” he added, “will be close coordination and efforts to encourage constructive engagement by surrounding powers.” 2025-12-31 16:23:15 -
Asian Culture Calendar SEOUL, December 31 (AJP) - South Korea Dec. 31 – Jan. 1 Yeosu Hyangiram Sunrise Festival Dec. 31 – Jan. 1 Homigot Sunrise Festival Dec. 31 – Jan. 1 Jeongdongjin Sunrise Festival Jan. 10 – Feb. 1 Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival Jan. 31 – Feb. 8 Taebaeksan Mountain Snow Festival Japan Dec. 31 – Jan. 1 NO LIMIT! COUNTDOWN 2026 Jan. 14 Shittenoji Doya Doya Festival Jan. 20 – Feb.8 Kobe Luminarie Thailand Jan. 10 – 11 Khon Kaen International Marathon 2026 Jan. 15 – 18 Thailand International Boat Show 2026 Jan. 16 – 18 EDC Thailand 2026 Jan. 24 – 25 Bangkok Music City 2026 Singapore Jan. 8 – 11 Singapore Motorshow 2026 Jan. 22 – 31 Singapore Art Week 2026 2025-12-31 15:05:01 -
IPO pipeline packed for KOSDAQ, KOSPI candidates stay on hold 2025 SEOUL, December 30 (AJP) - South Korea’s initial public offering market staged a belated rebound in the second half of the year, as the KOSPI’s surge past the 4,000 mark revived investor appetite and unleashed a rush of new listings — particularly on the tech-heavy KOSDAQ. A total of 77 companies went public this year, including seven on the KOSPI and 70 on the KOSDAQ. Companies raised a combined 4.56 trillion won ($3.15 billion), up 14.9 percent from a year earlier. The number of listings was broadly unchanged from 2024, when 78 firms debuted. Nearly nine out of 10 newly listed companies — 89 percent — traded above their IPO prices, marking the strongest post-listing performance since 2021. Market capitalization at IPO prices reached 15.32 trillion won, up 1.49 trillion won from the previous year and the highest level in seven years excluding the 2021 boom. The KOSDAQ led the revival. Five companies debuted with market capitalizations exceeding 500 billion won, the largest such group since 2021: Reevesmed (1.36 trillion won), Semifive (809.1 billion won), AimedBio (705.7 billion won), CMTX (561 billion won) and The Pinkfong Company (545.3 billion won). The Pinkfong Company, which listed on Nov. 18, is best known globally for producing “Baby Shark Dance,” the most-watched video in YouTube history with more than 16.5 billion views. On the KOSPI, cosmetics maker d’Alba Global stood out as the year’s most successful listing. Since its May debut, the company — known for its “flight attendant mist” — has seen its share price jump 122.5 percent as of Tuesday’s close. Among KOSDAQ listings, the strongest performer was Proteina, a drug development company whose shares surged nearly 700 percent between its July debut and year-end. Kim Dae-jong, a professor of business administration at Sejong University, said Korea’s IPO market in 2025 reflected growing polarization under high interest rates and cautious investor sentiment. “Institutional investors are increasingly demanding conservative valuations and clearer earnings visibility,” Kim said. “This has strengthened the trend toward lower IPO pricing.” He added that the market is “transitioning from a short-term, profit-driven structure toward one that places greater weight on mid- to long-term corporate value.” Looking ahead, a number of heavyweight candidates are waiting in the wings for next year’s IPO market, including K Bank, Musinsa, Olive Young, SK Ecoplant, Essex Solutions, Sono International and AI chipmaker Rebellion. The outlook for new listings will be closely tied to the trajectory of the broader stock market. President Lee Jae Myung has repeatedly pledged to push the KOSPI toward 5,000 through structural reforms aimed at narrowing the so-called “Korea discount.” “The ruling party will promote capital market advancement, strengthen shareholder value and eradicate unfair trading practices,” Park Hong-bae, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party, told AJP. “At the same time, we will enhance disclosure systems to support investor decision-making and encourage sound capital flows.” A senior official at the Ministry of Economy and Finance also said the government remains optimistic about the KOSPI 5,000 goal, citing planned incentives for long-term shareholding. Still, economists caution against overconfidence. Kim Yong-jin, a professor of business administration at Sogang University, said reaching the 5,000 mark would require several favorable conditions to align. “Given the global economic environment and Korea’s own outlook, it does not appear very likely in the near term,” he said. “High market volatility makes the challenge even greater.” 2025-12-30 17:43:42 -
Seoul lifts ban on access to North Korea's party newspaper SEOUL, December 30 (AJP) - South Korea has lifted long-standing restrictions on access to Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of North Korea’s Workers’ Party, allowing the public to read it uncensored at designated institutions, the Unification Ministry said Tuesday. Under the revised rules, South Koreans can access the newspaper at facilities that handle special materials — including the Unification Ministry’s North Korea Information Center and the National Library of Korea — without submitting an application or additional identification, Vice Unification Minister Kim Nam-jung said at a briefing. Restrictions on copying have also been eased, removing the requirement for written approval. The regulatory change was first proposed during a ministerial briefing to President Lee Jae Myung on Dec. 19. Lee reportedly said South Koreans are fully capable of distinguishing propaganda from fact. The issue was later discussed formally among the Unification Ministry, the National Intelligence Service and other relevant agencies last Friday. In the same vein, the ministry is reviewing whether to expand access to certain North Korean websites by revising the Information and Communications Network Act, in an effort to help the public better understand North Korea. About 60 North Korea–related websites — including Rodong Sinmun and the Korean Central News Agency — are currently blocked in South Korea. The ministry noted that the widespread use of VPNs has already weakened the effectiveness of such controls, creating a gap between policy and reality. The government also plans to continue consultations with the National Assembly to expedite passage of a pending bill governing the use and management of North Korea–related materials. Rodong Sinmun, published entirely in Korean, primarily carries speeches and directives by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, along with policy lines of the Workers’ Party. As the party’s official organ, it promotes the superiority of the regime and its ideology, while also covering international affairs and inter-Korean relations. Although it does not have a dedicated culture section, it occasionally carries cultural articles. Academics welcomed the move as long overdue. “It is appropriate to reclassify Rodong Sinmun as ‘general material,’” said Kim Yong-hyun, a professor of North Korean studies at Dongguk University. “Reading it will hardly make South Koreans become sympathetic toward North Korea. It is time we respond to North Korean issues with confidence.” Koh Yu-hwan, also a professor of North Korean studies at Dongguk University, said the restrictions had long been outdated. “Since 1994, when I founded the Department of North Korean Studies and began teaching, not a single student has turned into a pro–North Korea sympathizer or joined a Juche faction simply by reading Rodong Sinmun,” he said. Access to the North’s official mouthpiece could instead help deepen public understanding of the regime as it really is, said Park Jie-won, a Democratic Party lawmaker and a key architect of the landmark 2000 inter-Korean summit in Pyongyang. “Allowing people to read it directly can be the most effective form of national security education — and even anti-communist education,” Park told AJP. 2025-12-30 15:27:23 -
Asian stocks quiet on '25 final day, Korean chip shares rally on inventory squeeze SEOUL, December 30 (AJP) - Asian equity markets spent the final trading day of 2025 on a largely subdued note, with South Korea standing out as memory-chip stocks surged to new highs amid signs of tightening supply. In Seoul, the benchmark KOSPI inched up 2.10 points to 4,222.66 as of 10:10 a.m., while the tech-heavy KOSDAQ fell 0.9 percent to 924.70. The broader index was little changed overall, but heavyweight semiconductor shares extended their rally. Samsung Electronics rose 0.9 percent to 120,600 won ($84), while SK hynix climbed 2.7 percent to 657,000 won, both hitting record highs. On Monday, Samsung Electronics had already advanced 2.1 percent to a record close of 119,500 won, lifting its market capitalization above 700 trillion won ($488 billion) for the first time. The rally has been underpinned by strong export data and tightening chip supply. From January to November, South Korea’s semiconductor exports reached $152.6 billion, up 19.8 percent from a year earlier, leading the country’s export growth in 2025. November industrial output data also showed semiconductor inventories plunging 42.6 percent from a year earlier, highlighting aggressive stockpiling amid fears of supply shortages. LG Energy Solution, the third-largest stock by market value, fell 2.8 percent to 369,500 won. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries slipped 1.7 percent to 514,000 won, Hanwha Aerospace lost 1.6 percent to 934,000 won, Hanwha Ocean declined 1.5 percent to 113,900 won, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering retreated 1.3 percent to 405,000 won, and Korea Zinc tumbled 4 percent to 1,317,000 won. Entertainment stocks, however, moved higher across the board. HYBE gained 0.3 percent to 321,000 won, JYP Entertainment climbed 1.4 percent to 72,100 won, SM Entertainment edged up 0.3 percent to 128,400 won, and YG Entertainment jumped 3.3 percent to 66,800 won. Tuesday marks the final trading day of South Korea’s stock market in 2025. The first regular trading session of 2026 will open at 10 a.m. on Friday. There will be no pre-market trading that day, and the main, block and basket trading sessions will all begin at 10:00:30 a.m. Elsewhere in Asia, market moves were muted. In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 slipped 0.2 percent to 50,418.06. Among major heavyweights, Toyota Motor rose 0.1 percent to 3,367 yen ($21.6), Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group edged down 0.1 percent to 2,494 yen, and SoftBank Group fell 1 percent to 4,442 yen. In China, the Shanghai Composite declined 0.3 percent to 3,952.68, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index slipped 3.69 points to 25,631.54. The Shanghai market trades on Wednesday. 2025-12-30 11:50:14 -
Korean stock market reclaims the 4,200 level SEOUL, December 29 (AJP) - While Asian markets were mixed—with Japan slightly down and China remaining flat—Korean stocks rose sharply. In Seoul, the benchmark KOSPI climbed 2.2 percent to close at 4,220 on Monday, while the KOSDAQ gained 1.4 percent to end at 932.59. It was the first time since Nov. 3 that the KOSPI closed above the 4,200 mark. The current level is just one point below the record high of 4,221.87 set on that date. Both Samsung Electronics and SK hynix hit new record closing highs. Samsung Electronics rose 2.1 percent to 119,500 won ($83.4), and SK hynix jumped 6.8 percent to 640,000 won. SK hynix’s sharp rise was driven by expectations of a memory semiconductor supercycle, along with the lifting of its "investment warning" designation, which eased supply-demand concerns and attracted buying. Lee Kyung-min, an analyst at Daishin Securities, said, "With recent positive momentum such as expectations for a memory supercycle continuing, both SK hynix and Samsung Electronics rose together," adding that "the strength of these two semiconductor leaders led the KOSPI’s gain." Samsung Biologics gained 0.8 percent to 1,706,000 won, Hyundai Motor rose 2.6 percent to 293,500 won, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries added 2.2 percent to 523,000 won, and Doosan Enerbility climbed 3.9 percent to 76,500 won. Hanwha Aerospace surged 9.1 percent to 949,000 won. The stock’s jump was attributed to news that the company signed a 103.3 billion won ($72 million) contract with the Korea Aerospace Research Institute to develop a "lunar lander propulsion system" scheduled for launch in 2032, and to its removal from the investment warning list. LG Energy Solution, the third-largest by market capitalization, fell 0.9 percent to 380,000 won. Most entertainment stocks advanced. HYBE gained 1.8 percent to 320,000 won, SM added 2.9 percent to 128,000 won, YG increased 0.3 percent to 64,700 won, while JYP was unchanged. In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 fell 0.4 percent to 50,526.92. In China, the Shanghai Composite Index rose 1.60 points to 3,945.28. 2025-12-29 17:47:25 -
Memories linger as truth remains elusive a year after Muan airport crash SEOUL, December 29 (AJP) - An 18-year-old boy left a note for his mother, promising that he had finally grown up in his final year of high school — and apologizing that he could not tell her in person. His message is one of hundreds now posted along a hallway at Muan International Airport, where families continue to mourn those lost in South Korea’s deadliest aviation disaster. Nearly a year has passed since Jeju Air Flight 2216, a Boeing 737-800 arriving from Bangkok, skidded off the runway during an emergency landing and slammed into a concrete embankment at Muan Airport in South Jeolla Province on Dec. 29, 2024. Of the 181 people on board, 179 were killed, with only two flight attendants surviving. The aircraft attempted an emergency landing after an engine failure caused by a bird strike, according to preliminary findings. Yet for bereaved families, answers have remained scarce in the months since. Presidential apology, lingering questions President Lee Jae Myung, on his first day back at Cheong Wa Dae, issued a formal apology to the victims’ families, calling the tragedy a failure of the state’s duty to protect lives. “As president, responsible for the safety of the people, I extend my deepest apologies,” Lee said, pledging to ensure accountability and prevent a recurrence. “The least we can do is make sure such a tragedy never happens again.” The Muan crash marked the deadliest aviation accident in South Korea’s history, surpassing the 1993 Asiana Airlines crash in Haenam that killed 66 people. Despite the apology, families say accountability has been slow and opaque. On May 13, 2025, they filed a criminal complaint with the Jeonnam Provincial Police Agency against 15 individuals, including former Land, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Park Sang-woo, former Korea Airports Corporation president Yoon Hyung-jung, and Jeju Air CEO Kim E-bae. The complaint alleges violations of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act and professional negligence resulting in death. Dispute over legal responsibility Whether the Serious Accidents Punishment Act applies has emerged as a central legal fault line. Its application would determine not only criminal liability for senior officials but also whether families could receive compensation of up to five times the standard level. Police are reportedly leaning toward concluding that the law does not apply — a stance that has alarmed victims’ families. Moon Yoo-jin, a former judge and legal scholar, argues otherwise, saying the crash should fall under the law because it involved defects in public transportation facilities. “An accident occurring during takeoff or landing, linked to a structure such as the embankment, can reasonably be viewed as resulting from defects in design, installation or management,” she said. Conflicting findings and withheld disclosures Shortly after the crash, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said the concrete embankment supporting the airport’s localizer met regulatory standards. Subsequent reviews by other institutions contradicted that assessment. The National Forensic Service later found that the structure violated both domestic and international aviation safety standards, a conclusion echoed by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission. Tensions deepened when the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB) canceled a planned July briefing on its engine analysis after objections from victims’ families. The draft findings reportedly suggested that although the right engine suffered severe damage, the pilot had shut down the left engine — a claim families strongly disputed. Families accused investigators of relying too heavily on analysis provided by the U.S. engine manufacturer while downplaying possible structural defects. Requests to access the full original engine analysis were denied. A senior ARAIB official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the board had attempted to hold public hearings on Dec. 4 and 5 to present its findings, but was unable to proceed due to opposition from families. He added that earlier disclosure had been avoided because the investigation was still ongoing and premature release could have interfered with the process. Safety upgrades lag behind promises In the wake of the disaster, the transport ministry conducted a nationwide inspection of airport navigation facilities. On Jan. 13, 2025, it announced that nine azimuth structures at seven airports — Gwangju, Muan, Yeosu, Gimhae, Sacheon, Jeju and Pohang-Gyeongju — required safety upgrades. As of Dec. 18, 2025, only Gwangju and Pohang-Gyeongju had completed the improvements. A ministry official said four additional sites had since finished work and that all nine would be upgraded by next year. Lawmakers have criticized the pace of reform. Min Hong-chul, a Democratic Party member of the National Assembly’s Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, said repeated tragedies — from the 2014 Sewol ferry sinking to the 2022 Itaewon crowd crush — show a pattern of delayed accountability. “Investigations must be swift and transparent, with the participation of bereaved families,” Min said. “Moving the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board under the Prime Minister’s Office would be a first step toward restoring trust and uncovering the truth.” Nearly a year after the crash, messages of remembrance continue to line the walls of Muan Airport. For families, time has brought neither closure nor clarity — only a renewed call for accountability and structural reform. 2025-12-29 17:41:06 -
Defense and unification ministries hold joint session on potential inter-Korean military talks SEOUL, December 26 (AJP) - South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) and Ministry of Unification (MOU) held a joint workshop on Friday to prepare for potential military dialogue with North Korea, despite the lack of a response from Pyongyang regarding recent proposals. The session, held at the Office of Inter-Korean Dialogue in central Seoul, focused on inter-agency coordination and reviewing readiness measures for future negotiations. During the workshop, defense officials announced plans to form a preparatory task force comprised of personnel with prior experience in inter-Korean negotiations. The ministry also stated it will rename its "North Korea Strategy Division" to the "North Korea Policy Division," a move intended to bolster the unit's administrative legitimacy and shift its focus toward sustainable engagement. The preparations come as Seoul awaits a response from the North. On November 17, the Defense Ministry proposed holding military talks to discuss the baseline for the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) within the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Pyongyang has not yet replied to the offer. "We hope a forum for dialogue to ease military tensions between the two Koreas will be arranged soon," the ministry said in a statement. "We will continue strengthening preparations through close coordination with relevant agencies to help establish peace on the Korean Peninsula." The choice of venue for the workshop carries symbolic significance for the current administration’s policy direction. The Office of Inter-Korean Dialogue, located in Samcheong-dong, was originally established in the 1970s but was abolished during the administration of former President Yoon Suk-yeol. The current administration under President Lee Jae-myung reinstated the office on November 4 following a reorganization, reviving the body after a two-year hiatus. The office is responsible for formulating negotiation strategies, maintaining communication channels, and managing logistics for talks between the two Koreas. 2025-12-26 17:27:43 -
Korean, Japanese stocks and currencies hold ground on foreign buying in chip shares SEOUL, December 26 (AJP) - South Korean and Japanese markets held ground Friday, supported by foreign inflows into semiconductor stocks and a recovery in currencies that had been among the year’s weakest performers. In Seoul, the benchmark KOSPI closed at 4,129.68, up 0.5 percent, while the tech-heavy KOSDAQ also edged up 0.5 percent to 919.67. Chip heavyweights led the market. Samsung Electronics surged 5.3 percent to 117,000 won ($81), while SK hynix rose 1.9 percent to 599,000 won, supported by continued strengthening in DRAM prices. Elsewhere market breadth remained weak, with decliners outnumbering advancers 643 to 246, as foreign and institutional buying was concentrated largely in semiconductor shares. LG Energy Solution fell 1.8 percent to 383,500 won, Hyundai Motor slipped 1 percent to 286,000 won, and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries declined 1.4 percent to 512,000 won. KB Financial Group lost 1.2 percent to 124,600 won, while Doosan Enerbility dropped 3 percent to 73,600 won. Kia fell 1 percent to 119,800 won, and Hanwha Aerospace eased 0.9 percent to 870,000 won. Entertainment stocks moved broadly lower, with Hybe down 2.6 percent to 314,500 won, JYP Entertainment off 1.5 percent to 71,100 won, SM Entertainment sliding 3.5 percent to 124,400 won, and YG Entertainment falling 2.4 percent to 64,500 won. The Korean won strengthened amid broad strengthening of East Asian peers led by the Chinese yuan. The dollar ended Seoul session at 1,440.3 won, down 9.5 won from Wednesday. The greenback also weakened against the yen, slipping 0.65 yen to 155.74, even as the dollar index edged slightly higher to 97.68. In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 held firm, up 0.5 percent at 50,662.22 as of 3:41 p.m., supported by chip-related shares. China’s Shanghai Composite Index edged down 1.09 points to 3,958.53. 2025-12-26 16:23:13 -
Seoul's presidential office returns to Cheong Wa Dae Monday SEOUL, December 25 (AJP) - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will formerly begin work at the Cheong Wa Dae on Monday, making the end of the presidential office's temporary operation in Yongsan-gu. The official name of the president’s office will change from the Office of the President to Cheong Wa Dae on the same day. At midnight, the phoenix flag symbolizing the head of state will be lowered at the Yongsan presidential office to be raised at Cheong Wa Dae. Former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who took office on May 10, 2022, relocated the presidential office to the former Ministry of National Defense compound in Yongsan and opened Cheong Wa Dae to the public as a tourist site. The experiment with relocating a presidential office outside the traditional Cheong Wa Dae ended with his removal from office. On Dec. 3, 2024, Yoon declared martial law, and on Apr. 4, 2025, the Constitutional Court upheld Yoon’s impeachment with a unanimous ruling by all eight justices. A snap election followed on Jun. 3. President Lee Jae Myung upon declared victor began term the following day. In Korean, Cheong Wa in Cheong Wa Dae means “blue tiles,” while dae means “building.” The name comes from the main building’s distinctive blue-tiled roof. The complex was officially renamed Cheong Wa Dae on Dec. 30, 1960, during the administration of President Yun Po-sun. According to the Cheong Wa Dae website, roughly 150,000 blue tiles were used in the roof, each individually fired. Their durability is said to exceed 100 years. The current main building of Cheong Wa Dae, where the president conducts official duties and receives foreign guests, was completed on Sept. 4, 1991. Its construction followed mounting criticism that it was inappropriate for the president of the Republic of Korea to operate from the former office of the Japanese Governor-General, a remnant of the colonial era. Designed in the style of a traditional royal palace, the building was intended to symbolize state authority and represent the Republic of Korea. The president’s main office is located on the second floor. President Lee Jae Myung’s primary office is reportedly planned to be located on the third floor of Yeomin Building 1, part of the Cheong Wa Dae office complex where senior presidential aides work. According to a presidential aide, the arrangement is intended to minimize movement between the president and top staff to enhance communication efficiency. Historically, the site of Cheong Wa Dae has served multiple roles. During the Japanese colonial period, it housed the residence of the Governor-General. Under the U.S. military government, Lt. Gen. John R. Hodge used the residence as his official quarters. South Korea’s first president, Rhee Syngman, later used the same building as both his office and residence. Earlier still, during the Goryeo Dynasty (918–1392), the site contained a royal villa, and during the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897), it formed part of the rear garden of Gyeongbokgung Palace. Cheong Wa Dae has also hosted moments of modern diplomatic symbolism. In July 1993, during an official visit to South Korea, then-U.S. President Bill Clinton jogged for 15 minutes and 20 seconds along the Nokjiwon trail with then-President Kim Young-sam. 2025-12-26 14:57:58