[Jun] Cheong Wa Dae celebrates its first year open to the public with special events
Date Jun 26, 2023
People flock to the former presidential office known as Cheong Wa Dae, April 22, to enjoy an exhibition and the site’s charms ahead of the anniversary of its opening to the public last May. (Courtesy of Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)
Cheong Wa Dae, the former presidential office and residence, is marking the first anniversary of its opening to the public with special events.
The two events both began in June: an exhibition titled "Stories of Our Presidents" that showcases some of the former leaders’ personal belongings and an evening experience called "Night Walk at Cheong Wa Dae."
These events have attracted a significant number of visitors. More than 71,000 people have already visited the exhibition as of June 12, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST).
“Stories of Our Presidents” is housed within Cheong Wa Dae’s main office building and former press center, Chunchugwan. The exhibition offers an opportunity to peer into the lives of 12 former presidents through an extensive collection of documents, photographs and personal memorabilia that symbolize their tenure at Cheong Wa Dae.
Former President Kim Young-sam's jogging shoes (Courtesy of the MCST)
Former President Rhee Syngman’s typewriter with English-letter keys (Courtesy of the MCST)
Notable highlights of the exhibition include President Rhee Syngman’s typewriter with its English alphabet keyboard; President Park Chung-hee's sketch of his dog Banguri; President Roh Tae-woo's tungso, a Korean bamboo flute; President Kim Young-sam's running shoes; and President Roh Moo-hyun's patented reading stand.
Most of the displayed items are from the National Archives of Korea, while some have been brought from presidential libraries and museums, such as the Kim Dae Jung Nobel Peace Prize Memorial in Mokpo.
At Chunchugwan, visitors have the opportunity to view dinnerware used when hosting foreign dignitaries. The venue housed a permanent press room for accredited reporters and will look familiar to anyone who saw televised press conferences from there. Taken together, the exhibit offers a glimpse into the inner workings of Cheong Wa Dae.
In addition, pieces of furniture from the main office building, Sangchunjae (the reception room for foreign dignitaries) and the residence's dining room are on display.
Visitors enjoy musical performances held in the garden of Cheong Wa Dae in Jongno-gu District, Seoul, during the "Night Walk at Cheong Wa Dae" event. (Courtesy of the MCST)
"Night Walk at Cheong Wa Dae" ran from June 8 to June 19 and offered visitors a rare chance to experience the presidential residence illuminated at night.
It also allowed participants to immerse themselves in Cheong Wa Dae’s timeless beauty and explore the premises for up to two hours on their own between 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. without a tour guide – free from the usual restrictions.
Performances included a 20-minute concert with Joseon-era music played on two Korean instruments: the haegeum, which resembles a long vertical fiddle, and the saenghwang, a free reed mouth organ made from 17 bamboo pipes of different lengths.
This year’s Night Walk was greatly expanded compared to last year. In 2022, only 100 participants were allowed in per evening. This year, up to 2,000 people could enter each night, and – whereas a tour guide had to be present at all times last year – they were allowed to wander freely this June.
The exhibition, "Stories of Our Presidents," will remain open until August 28.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's "Korea Here & Now" work can be used under the condition of "Public Nuri Type 1 (Source Indication)."