Future plans for Blue House announced by Culture Ministry

The Blue House in central Seoul had served as the presidential office and residence for Korea's previous presidents for the past seven decades until May 10, 2022. [NEWS1]

With a month left until the Blue House celebrates its first anniversary since opening to the public, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced its plans on how to manage the Blue House, as it became the sole managing body of the estate from March 31.

Since its opening and until now, the Blue House had been jointly managed by the Cultural Heritage Administration and the Secretary Office to the President.

“We plan to upgrade the Blue House into a dynamic space where history, culture and nature come alive,” said Yoon Seong-cheon, a ministry official in charge of the new management plan of the Blue House. “The plans are focused on turning the Blue House into a world-class tourist landmark by connecting it with rich historical and cultural resources that surround the Blue House in central Seoul, at the foot of Mount Bugak.”

The ministry hopes to attract visitors by organizing exhibitions, performances and tour programs around four main categories: history of Korean presidents, Korea’s culture and arts, Korean heritage and information about the rich diversity of flora inside the compound.

The Blue House land is known to have about 120 species of trees. It has a vast green space as it was the location of the rear garden of Gyeongbok Palace, the main royal palace, during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910).

The ministry said it will closely work with the younger generation to come up with interesting and attractive tour programs that connect the Blue House with things to do and eat in the area.

As for the demands to conduct studies on the trees and heritages inside the Blue House — a cultural heritage site — from some experts, the ministry said it will continue to discuss with experts on how to better showcase the cultural heritages so that the significance of the site as a cultural heritage is also emphasized.

The Blue House had served as the presidential office and residence for more than seven decades before becoming a public space following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s decision to make the former Defense Ministry building in Yongsan District, central Seoul, the new Presidential Office. The Blue House had its grand opening on May 10 last year, the same day Yoon was sworn into office. It had been visited by around 40,000 people every day for many months since its opening and is still being visited by around 8,000 people every day.

BY YIM SEUNG-HYE [yim.seunghye@joongang.co.kr]