One year under Moon admin.: Changes in and around Presidential Blue House
The Moon administration's efforts to be more open can now be seen in the area around Cheongwadae.
The nation's top office is opening a mountain that was previously restricted to the public for security reasons.
Cha Sang-mi went to check it out for us.
It's been a year since the Moon Jae-in administration came into office promising change; change for the people, in their daily lives, for the entire nation.
One of the many changes in the past year has been witnessed in and around the presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae, or the Blue House, which is now much more accessible to the public.
Mount Inwangsan just behind the presidential Blue House is one place where the average Koreans can freely take a hike... once strictly off limits to the public.
"Part of this mountain, however, has been restricted to the public since January 1968, after North Korean special forces attempted to assassinate the then-South Korean President Park Chung-hee in his residence at the Blue House."
Following President Moon's visit to the mountain in March, the Blue House decided to tear down the barbed wire fences and open the mountain to public for the first time in half a century.
"Some areas were restricted for military and security reasons. But recently, through long discussions, we decided to remove unnecessary military structures and return the entire part of the mountain to our citizens."
The official says instead of an excessive military presence, the mountain will now be under close watch using cutting-edge military equipment.
"When I came hiking here a few years ago, these areas were restricted and under construction. But now that I hear it's open to the public, it's so meaningful."
"We came here all the way from Incheon as we heard the mountain is opening to the public with the Moon Jae-in administration's anniversary. The air is great and we love it "
The road in front of the presidential office has also been completely open to the public 24-7, day and night since last year, after the restrictions put in place 50 years ago were removed.
Tourists and individual demonstrators were also given the freedom to enjoy themselves and voice their opinions at the fountain square in front of the top office.
"This is the first time I am back to Korea since the new administration. And I've seen such a big change in Seoul and Korea in general. It's a fantastic thing that the Korean Peninsula is getting exposed around world."
The latest move by the Blue House aims at creating a friendly, open atmosphere around Korea's top office.
Cha Sang-mi, Arirang News.
The nation's top office is opening a mountain that was previously restricted to the public for security reasons.
Cha Sang-mi went to check it out for us.
It's been a year since the Moon Jae-in administration came into office promising change; change for the people, in their daily lives, for the entire nation.
One of the many changes in the past year has been witnessed in and around the presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae, or the Blue House, which is now much more accessible to the public.
Mount Inwangsan just behind the presidential Blue House is one place where the average Koreans can freely take a hike... once strictly off limits to the public.
"Part of this mountain, however, has been restricted to the public since January 1968, after North Korean special forces attempted to assassinate the then-South Korean President Park Chung-hee in his residence at the Blue House."
Following President Moon's visit to the mountain in March, the Blue House decided to tear down the barbed wire fences and open the mountain to public for the first time in half a century.
"Some areas were restricted for military and security reasons. But recently, through long discussions, we decided to remove unnecessary military structures and return the entire part of the mountain to our citizens."
The official says instead of an excessive military presence, the mountain will now be under close watch using cutting-edge military equipment.
"When I came hiking here a few years ago, these areas were restricted and under construction. But now that I hear it's open to the public, it's so meaningful."
"We came here all the way from Incheon as we heard the mountain is opening to the public with the Moon Jae-in administration's anniversary. The air is great and we love it "
The road in front of the presidential office has also been completely open to the public 24-7, day and night since last year, after the restrictions put in place 50 years ago were removed.
Tourists and individual demonstrators were also given the freedom to enjoy themselves and voice their opinions at the fountain square in front of the top office.
"This is the first time I am back to Korea since the new administration. And I've seen such a big change in Seoul and Korea in general. It's a fantastic thing that the Korean Peninsula is getting exposed around world."
The latest move by the Blue House aims at creating a friendly, open atmosphere around Korea's top office.
Cha Sang-mi, Arirang News.