July 2023

K-policy

Written by Yu Pureum
Photos courtesy of Public Communications Office of Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism organized a special exhibition called “Stories of Our Presidents: The Presidents Were Here” to commemorate the first anniversary of the opening of Cheong Wa Dae. The exhibition will be held from June 1 to August 28 in the King Sejong and Inwang rooms on the first floor of the main building of Cheong Wa Dae.

Cheong Wa Dae holds great historical significance as a space where important political decisions have been made in Korea. It also encapsulates the lives of past presidents. This exhibition focuses on the stories of the 12 presidents who served their terms at Cheong Wa Dae, from the 1st President Rhee Syngman to the 19th President Moon Jae-in, before Cheong Wa Dae was returned to the people in 2022.

Unlike previous exhibitions, this showcase highlights the presidents’ lifestyle and leadership rather than their performance. To add depth to the exhibition, input was sought from the families, bereaved families and officials from the archives and memorial foundations of previous presidents.

The exhibition is organized chronologically according to the presidents’ tenure. It features symbolic items that illustrate each president’s life and leadership, such as President Rhee Syngman’s English typewriter and Kim Young-sam’s running shoes. Anecdotes from each item are also shared. Also, Visitors can view various souvenirs related to Korea’s significant history, including the first aircraft model and commemorative banknotes from the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.

Special daily docents include the sons of former President Kim Young-sam and former President Roh Tae-woo, who vividly share their experiences at Cheong Wa Dae and anecdotes related to the presidents.

Additionally, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is preparing ten planning programs that encompass exhibitions, performances, exploration and experiences. These programs are based on four content categories: Cheong Wa Dae’s history, culture and arts, natural trees and traditional cultural properties.