The Blue House in South Korea: A meeting point of history and modernity.

Located at No. 1 Sejong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, the Blue House is a building that carries deep historical and modern political significance in South Korea. As the official residence of the President of the Republic of Korea, the Blue House is not only the heart of Korean politics, but also an important symbol of Korean history and culture. The history of the Blue House can be traced back to the Goryeo Dynasty, when it was originally a detached palace. With the changes of history, the Blue House was incorporated into the back garden of Gyeongbokgung Palace during the Joseon Dynasty, and buildings such as Longwu Hall, Qingnongzhai, and the martial arts field were built, becoming an important place for royal activities. However, the modern significance of the Blue House began during the Japanese colonial period, when the Japanese colonists destroyed all the buildings in the back garden of Gyeongbokgung Palace except Wuyunge, and established the Governor's Mansion of Korea on its basis. After Korea's independence, the Blue House gradually evolved into the political center of Korea. After the establishment of the Republic of Korea in 1948, the first president, Lee Seung-wan, named it "Jingwutai", but this name was not used for long. In 1960, after the second president, Yun Bo-shan, took office, in order to avoid the word "wu" and correspond to the White House in the United States, he renamed this white-walled and blue-tiled building "Blue House", which has since become the place where successive Korean presidents work and live. The main building of the Blue House is the core part of the Blue House. It not only has the president's residence, office, reception hall, and conference room, but also has facilities such as the secretary's office, guard room, and guest house. The design of the main building fully demonstrates the aesthetic concept of Korean traditional architecture, especially its blue-tiled roof and curved design, which has become the most representative symbol of the Blue House. There are 150,000 blue tiles, each of which can be used for more than 100 years, which is not only beautiful but also durable. In addition to the main building, the Blue House also includes a guest house, a green garden, a Wuchun flower garden, and seven palaces. The guest house is a place specially prepared for foreign guests, and its majestic appearance and solemn atmosphere are impressive. The Green Garden and Wuchun Flower Garden are good places for walking and leisure. They are planted with various flowers and trees. Especially the Wuchun Flower Garden is colorful from July to October. The Seven Palaces are seven traditional-style palaces and elegant courtyards from the Joseon era. Since it was opened to the public in 2001, it has attracted a large number of tourists to visit. The historical and political significance of the Blue House makes it a focus of attention for the Korean people. However, with the changes of the times and the increasing demand of the people for an open and transparent government, the issue of opening the Blue House has always been a hot topic in society. In recent years, the Korean government has gradually increased the opening of the Blue House, allowing more people to have the opportunity to feel this building where history and modernity are intertwined. On March 20, 2022, South Korea's president-elect Yoon Seok-yeol announced that the South Korean presidential palace would be moved from the Blue House to the Ministry of National Defense building in Yongsan District, Seoul. This decision marked the end of the "Blue House era" that lasted for 74 years. With the entry of President Yoon Seok-yeol and the full opening of the Blue House to the public, this building has gradually transformed from a power center to an open park and historical and cultural landmark. Today's Blue House not only carries South Korea's profound historical heritage and political significance, but has also become a good place for people to relax and sightsee. Whether it is to appreciate the beauty of the Blue House or to understand the history and culture of South Korea, the Blue House is a place not to be missed. Here, people can feel the unique charm of the interweaving of Korean history and modern political vitality.