Cheong Wa Dae next month will mark the first anniversary of its transformation from the presidential compound into a complex of history, culture and nature in emerging as an international tourist landmark.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on April 10 announced this in its plan on the basic direction of its operations of Cheong Wa Dae.
An exhibition at the compound’s main building and vicinity will offer visitors a closer look at the lives and philosophies of former presidents. High-quality performances of Korean performing arts will take place outdoors like at the gardens of Daejeongwon, Nokjiwon and Sojeongwon and the heliport.
The commemorative events have a budget of KRW 10 billion: KRW 3.6 billion for art exhibitions and KRW 6.4 billion for performances.
To mark Day of People with Disabilities on April 20, an orchestra comprising visually impaired musicians will play at the former media center Chunchugwan. On Children’s Day on May 5, interactive programs will be held at Daejeongwon, Nokjiwon and the heliport for parents and their children.
The programs “Presidents’ Trees” and “Finding Hidden Trees” (unofficial translations) will feature guided tours to allow visitors to discover stories of and hear commentaries on the 35 commemorative trees planted by presidents over the years among some 50,000 trees and flowers planted at Cheong Wa Dae gardens.
The ministry will also hold a proclamation ceremony for a Cheong Wa Dae tourism cluster in which members of Generation MZ (millennials and Generation Z) introduce the top 10 tour courses in the compound.
The Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) managed Cheong Wa Dae since its opening to the public in May last year. Ahead of the first anniversary of the opening, however, the ministry was put in charge of the venue.
“Based on cooperation with the Office of the President and CHA, we plan to effectively proceed with follow-up tasks on the management and use of Cheong Wa Dae,” the ministry said. “We plan to announce specific programs by late April.”
