Phoenix Flag Raised Again at Cheong Wa Dae, Presidential Office Relocation Complete

Seoul, South Korea – After a hiatus of three years and seven months, South Korea’s presidential symbol, the “Phoenix Flag,” was raised again at the historic Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House) complex at midnight on Sunday.

According to local media, this step is seen as a signal of the basic completion of the presidential office’s relocation back to Cheong Wa Dae. The presidential office announced on Sunday itself that President Lee Jae Myung will begin working at the Blue House for the first time today (Monday).

Since 1948, Cheong Wa Dae had been the residence and office for almost all South Korean presidents. However, after former President Yoon Suk-yeol took office in May 2022, the presidential office was moved to the former Ministry of National Defense building in Seoul’s Yongsan district, and the Blue House was opened to the public.

In June of this year, the incumbent President Lee announced a plan to move the presidential office back to Cheong Wa Dae. The current process has moved forward accordingly.