Current Korea

The Yongsan
Era Begins

More than one month has passed since President Yoon Suk Yeol assumed office. Over the past month, the nation has already witnessed some definite changes under the fledgling government.

What is clear is that the nation is stepping into a new era with the new look of the president and the government which are truly open to the public. Some of the changes that Yoon has so far realized are enough to prove that he is working so hard to fulfill his promise: become an open and transparent leader who openly communicates with the people.

The Yongsan Era

The most symbolic change was the relocation of the presidential office from Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul¡¯s Jong-no District to Yongsan-gu District, ushering in the ¡°Yongsan era.¡±

Cheong Wa Dae, a symbol of authoritarianism and imperial presidential culture for 70 years, has been returned to the people as a historical and cultural space. The move clearly marked a break with the imperial presidency.

In addition, the government converted the Yongsan office¡¯s front yard into a public plaza, utilizing it as a space to ¡°meet citizens.¡± Behind this decision was the president¡¯s determination to ¡°return presidential power to the people.¡± Yoon believes that he will be able to boost dialogue with the public by talking directly to citizens and blending into their everyday lives as often as possible.

¡°The government will fulfill our promise for more open communication with the people. The new presidential office will become a place for communication where the people can watch the president work while strolling through Yongsan Park,¡± the Office of the 20th President said.

Many experts say that the relocation will help project the image of a very open and transparent president and government by moving away from the imperial presidency and getting closer to the public. ¡°The move itself resonates with the very raw spirit of egalitarianism in Korea,¡± Victor Cha, senior vice president and Korea chair of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIC) in Washington D.C.

Doorstep Presidency

Another sign that the government breaks from imperial power is that Yoon pursues a so-called ¡°doorstep presidency.¡±

During his commute to and from his Yongsan office, he got in the habit of stopping for doorstep interviews with reporters waiting on the first floor of the Yongsan office building. Since he took office, Yoon has held numerous doorstep interviews, taking many questions as if he was ¡°ready to answer any.¡±

The president¡¯s new office is also located on the same floor as the offices of his secretaries and other staff members so he can receive reports quickly.

His behavior contrasts with those of his predecessors to whom reporters and his aides had few chances to directly talk. As a result, the public has come to know the thoughts of the president more clearly than before. His doorstep presidency is the start of direct communication between the president and the people. ¡°Korea begins anew here in Yongsan,¡± said President Yoon.

Off to a Good Diplomatic Start

Yoon desires to boost not only open communication with citizens, but also the quality of their lives, by making the nation a safer and more thriving place to live in. He focuses on solidifying bilateral ties with Korea¡¯s strong allies, which he believes will expand the nation¡¯s footprints in the global markets.

His first diplomatic mission was significant because Yoon made his debut on the global stage alongside the world¡¯s most powerful leader, U.S. President Joe Biden. The bilateral summit with the U.S. came a record-fast 11 days after he was sworn in.

The summit resulted in good outcomes, as both sides solidified a bilateral commitment to a stronger military alliance against North Korea. The countries also further enhanced economic partnership backed by Samsung Electronics¡¯ deal to build more factories in the U.S. and Korea joining the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework which had been launched by President Biden to form a global economic alliance against China¡¯s growing influence.

As the nation faces a myriad of challenges both at home and abroad, there are and will be many daunting tasks that the president and his government will have to take on. Many eyes are on Yoon¡¯s every move and how he will tackle the impending problems facing the country. The nation hopes that another miracle will happen in the new Yongsan era.