The number of visitors to Cheong Wa Dae began surging before and after the June 3 presidential election, amid anticipation that it might be their last chance to visit before it closes again, prompting many to flock there.
According to the Cheong Wa Dae Foundation, about 90,000 people visited in December last year, but the number suddenly surged to roughly 260,000 in April, shortly after the Constitutional Court of Korea's ruling to impeach former disgraced President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched Dec. 3 declaration of martial law. The figure then swelled to 428,000 last month alone, surpassing the combined tally of 413,516 for 2023 and 2024.
As of early this month, the cumulative number of visitors since Cheong Wa Dae was first opened to the public in May 2022 stood at around 7.83 million including more than 900,000 foreign tourists.
Nestled in the sylvan foothills of Mt. Bukak and surrounded by splendid gardens, the palatial compound was often seen as a symbol of excessive presidential power, with its secluded location creating the impression that presidents were distant from the public both physically and in other ways. That led Yoon to open the compound to the public on his first day in office and to hastily relocate his office to a nondescript government building in Yongsan.
Public access to the compound will be suspended from Aug. 1 to enhance security and overhaul facilities ahead of Lee's move-in. Since his inauguration on June 4, Lee has been temporarily using his predecessor's office in Yongsan.
Those who plan to visit are advised to hurry, as bookings fill up quickly. Reservations can be made online up to four weeks in advance, but all available slots are currently fully booked until early next month. However a limited number of on-site admissions are still available for seniors, foreign tourists, and individuals with disabilities.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
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