The Mysterious Blue House

As early as the Japanese colonial period, the Blue House was the official residence of the Governor-General of Korea, and later became the official residence of the US military governor. It was not until 1948, when the Republic of Korea was founded and Yun Bo-seon was elected president and moved in, that the Blue House began a new chapter as the official residence of the President of South Korea. As for the origin of the name, it is roughly a combination of visual and superstitious factors. From the beginning of its construction, the Blue House strictly followed the ancient court architectural regulations and the traditional etiquette of the suzerain and vassal states in East Asia - the buildings of the suzerain state were often red walls and golden roofs, while the buildings of the vassal state were mostly white walls and blue tiles. At first, it was called Gyeongmudae, but later Yun Bo-seon had a special taboo against the word "mu" (武), so he renamed it the Blue House according to its visual characteristics. Since 2022, the South Korean presidential office has been moved to the Ministry of National Defense building in Yongsan District, and the Blue House has been officially opened to the public, unveiling the mystery of the once mysterious "forbidden place." Originally, you could go straight to the Blue House from the north gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace, but we got lost for a short time and took a big detour. After a simple registration at the entrance, we could enter. The garden design is a highlight of the Blue House, with a neat and atmospheric layout that exudes a solemn beauty. The trees in the garden are lush and green, creating a tranquil, solemn, and elegant atmosphere. After entering through the main gate, we first visited the main building, which is basically made of wood, with wooden frames, beams, columns, and decorations, exuding a rustic atmosphere and a sense of solemnity that makes you feel awe-inspiring. Most of the rooms on the first floor have been converted into exhibition halls, and at the end of the left side of the hall, there are photos of the former presidents of South Korea on the wall.