SEOUL, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's presidential office will officially return to Cheong Wa Dae, which is widely known as the Blue House, at midnight on Dec. 29, Yonhap News Agency reported on Wednesday.
A spokesperson for the presidential office said the "Phoenix Flag," a symbol of the South Korean head of state, currently flying over the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul, will be lowered at midnight on Dec. 29. At the same time, the flag will be raised at the Blue House in Jongno District, and the name of the presidential office will be changed back to "Cheong Wa Dae."
The raising of the Phoenix Flag at Cheong Wa Dae is widely interpreted as the basic completion of the relocation of the presidential office back to the historic complex, the report said.
Since 1948, Cheong Wa Dae has served as both the official residence and office for almost every South Korean president. However, after taking office in May 2022, former President Yoon Suk-yeol relocated the presidential office to a newly established compound at the former Ministry of National Defense building in Yongsan, opening the Blue House to the public. Current President Lee Jae Myung later announced plans to move the presidential office back to Cheong Wa Dae. ■
