South Korean: Following the move of the presidential office President Lee starts working in Cheong Wa Dae
South Korean: After the presidential office was formally moved to the historic site around seven months after he assumed office, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung made his first journey to work at Cheong Wa Dae on Monday.
At about 9:10 a.m., scores of Lee’s fans screamed his name and waved the national flag at the compound’s entrance as a convoy carrying his car drove past the main building’s front gate, according to Yonhap news agency.
Lee had tea with his advisers in Cheong Wa Dae, including Kim Yong-beom, the presidential head for policy, and Wi Sung-lac, the national security adviser, among other high-ranking officials.
According to his office, he was also expected to examine military preparedness at the complex’s National Crisis Management Center.
The name Cheong Wa Dae was officially reinstated at midnight when a presidential flag with two phoenixes was hoisted.
In order to facilitate closer connection with authorities, Lee’s primary office will be located in the Yeomin Building complex, around 500 meters from the main building that houses top aides and personnel.
Formal occasions like summits and certificate ceremonies will mostly take place in the recognizable main structure with its blue roof.
According to his office, Lee will continue to commute from his existing house in Hannam-dong for the time being since the official mansion is still undergoing renovations to repair damage caused when the complex was opened to the public during the previous government.
When Lee entered office in 2022, his predecessor, previous president Yoon Suk Yeol, relocated the office to the defense ministry facility in Seoul’s Yongsan district.
The Presidential Security Service said on Sunday that it had finished joint security inspections with 14 agencies, including the military, police, and National Intelligence Service.
Key facilities at Cheong Wa Dae and neighboring mountains were inspected, with an emphasis on information and communications systems and wiretapping threats.