As president eyes return, Cheong Wa Dae hosts what may be its last tourists

When Ryu Si-won, a retired man in his 60s, learned on Wednesday that Lee Jae-myung had been elected president, his first thought was to visit Cheong Wa Dae — the former presidential compound that housed 12 leaders over the past 74 years. Cheong Wa Dae is commonly known in English as the Blue House in a nod to its distinctive tiled roof. Lee has said he plans to return the presidential office there. “I wasn’t planning to come here today,” Ryu told The Korea Times. "But after Lee was elected, I checked yesterday to see if on-site registration was possible and came. I figured this might be my last chance to see it.” He recalled that in his younger days, he had only made it as far as the front gate — never once stepping inside until now. “Seeing it in person, it feels modest. You can really see the influence of traditional Korean hanok architecture,” Ryu said. “I’m not sure if it’s possible to do both at the same time, but I hope the president returns here and that it still remains open to the public.” On Thursday, Cheong Wa Dae bustled with tourists — many, like RyuWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times