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Japan Times
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Japan Times
Visitors rush to see South Korea's Blue House before presidential return
Hundreds of thousands of South Koreans have thronged the Blue House in central Seoul in recent months to get their last glimpse of the historic compound before it is returned to official use as the home and office of the country's president. Lee Jae-myung, who won a snap election on June 3, plans to move into the Blue House soon, and access to some buildings will be restricted from mid-July, the presidential office announced last week. Former leader Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed from office in April after briefly declaring martial law, broke with decades of tradition by shifting his office and residence out of the compound and opening it to the public. "I heard this place will likely be closed soon. So I wanted to come at least once before that happened," said An Hyun, 62, an office worker from Wonju in northeastern Gangwon Province who was visiting the Blue House this week. "Now that I've seen it, it's really neat and tidy. I don't understand why they moved out of here," said An. Soon after taking office in 2022, Yoon moved the presidential office to a cluster of former defense ministry buildings in another area of central Seoul. The move whipped up a fierce debate among experts on feng shui, a practice that originated in ancient China to ensure harmony between people and their environment, after some political rivals accused Yoon of being influenced by those who said the Blue House location was inauspicious. The Blue House, or "Cheong Wa Dae" in Korean, is named after the blue tiles that cover the top of the main building and is nestled in a scenic spot in front of the Bugaksan mountain. The Blue House Foundation, which organizes visits, said tours to see the ornate state rooms and manicured lawns were fully booked until mid-July. More than 8 million people had taken the chance to visit the Blue House by mid-June, data from the foundation showed. After an initial surge of interest when the complex first opened to the public in 2022, the number of monthly visitors had drifted down to average about 160,000 last year, but after Yoon's impeachment, visitor numbers hit 260,000 in April and 430,000 in May. Another visitor this week, Jin Kyung-soo, a 35-year-old middle-school teacher, had also made a reservation to visit after hearing that the new administration planned to move in again. "We waited in line for about an hour, but it was truly exciting and joyful. I looked around with great hope for what the Lee Jae-myung government will do going forward," said Jin.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Visitors rush to see South Korea's Blue House before presidential return
By Hyun Young Yi and Daewoung Kim SEOUL (Reuters) -Hundreds of thousands of South Koreans have thronged the Blue House in central Seoul in recent months to get their last glimpse of the historic compound before it is returned to official use as the home and office of the country's president. Lee Jae Myung, who won a snap election on June 3, plans to move into the Blue House soon and access to some buildings will be restricted from mid-July, the presidential office announced last week. Former leader Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed from office in April after briefly declaring martial law, broke with decades of tradition by shifting his office and residence out of the compound and opening it to the public. "I heard this place will likely be closed soon. So I wanted to come at least once before that happened," said An Hyun, 62, an office worker from Wonju in northeastern Gangwon Province who was visiting the Blue House this week. "Now that I've seen it, it's really neat and tidy. I don't understand why they moved out of here," said An. Soon after taking office in 2022, Yoon moved the presidential office to a cluster of former defence ministry buildings in another area of central Seoul. The move whipped up a fierce debate among experts on feng shui, a practice that originated in ancient China to ensure harmony between people and their environment, after some political rivals accused Yoon of being influenced by those who said the Blue House location was inauspicious. The Blue House, or "Cheong Wa Dae" in Korean, is named after the blue tiles that cover the top of the main building and is nestled in a scenic spot in front of the Bugaksan mountain. The Blue House Foundation that organises visits said tours to see the ornate state rooms and manicured lawns were fully booked until mid-July. More than 8 million people had taken the chance to visit the Blue House by mid-June, data from the foundation showed. After an initial surge of interest when the complex first opened to the public in 2022, the number of monthly visitors had drifted down to average about 160,000 last year, but after Yoon's impeachment visitor numbers hit 260,000 in April and 430,000 in May. Another visitor this week, Jin Kyung-soo, a 35-year-old middle-school teacher, had also made a reservation to visit after hearing that the new administration planned to move in again. "We waited in line for about an hour, but it was truly exciting and joyful. I looked around with great hope for what the Lee Jae Myung government will do going forward," said Jin.
Reuters
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Visitors rush to see South Korea's Blue House before presidential return
SEOUL, June 19 (Reuters) - Hundreds of thousands of South Koreans have thronged the Blue House in central Seoul in recent months to get their last glimpse of the historic compound before it is returned to official use as the home and office of the country's president. Lee Jae Myung, who won a snap election on June 3, plans to move into the Blue House soon and access to some buildings will be restricted from mid-July, the presidential office announced last week. Former leader Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed from office in April after briefly declaring martial law, broke with decades of tradition by shifting his office and residence out of the compound and opening it to the public. "I heard this place will likely be closed soon. So I wanted to come at least once before that happened," said An Hyun, 62, an office worker from Wonju in northeastern Gangwon Province who was visiting the Blue House this week. "Now that I've seen it, it's really neat and tidy. I don't understand why they moved out of here," said An. Soon after taking office in 2022, Yoon moved the presidential office to a cluster of former defence ministry buildings in another area of central Seoul. The move whipped up a fierce debate among experts on feng shui, a practice that originated in ancient China to ensure harmony between people and their environment, after some political rivals accused Yoon of being influenced by those who said the Blue House location was inauspicious. The Blue House, or "Cheong Wa Dae" in Korean, is named after the blue tiles that cover the top of the main building and is nestled in a scenic spot in front of the Bugaksan mountain. The Blue House Foundation that organises visits said tours to see the ornate state rooms and manicured lawns were fully booked until mid-July. More than 8 million people had taken the chance to visit the Blue House by mid-June, data from the foundation showed. After an initial surge of interest when the complex first opened to the public in 2022, the number of monthly visitors had drifted down to average about 160,000 last year, but after Yoon's impeachment visitor numbers hit 260,000 in April and 430,000 in May. Another visitor this week, Jin Kyung-soo, a 35-year-old middle-school teacher, had also made a reservation to visit after hearing that the new administration planned to move in again. "We waited in line for about an hour, but it was truly exciting and joyful. I looked around with great hope for what the Lee Jae Myung government will do going forward," said Jin.
South China Morning Post
05-06-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Move over sesame – in Korea, perilla oil is making a comeback
Long before it gained recognition as a health food, perilla oil held a place of quiet importance in Korean kitchens and farmlands. Known as deulgireum in Korean, the aromatic oil has deep roots in Korean culinary and agricultural history, dating back thousands of years. Despite its longevity, perilla oil saw a decline in popularity in the late 20th century, as processed vegetable oils and imported fats became more common. Perilla seeds – said to rival sesame seeds – are the focus at Okhee Mill. Photo: @okhee_mill/Instagram Moon Ji-Yeon didn't always see perilla oil as her calling. A passionate traveller, she previously wrote for Lonely Planet Magazine Korea, but she lost her job when the Covid-19 pandemic hit. Instead of following other career options, she chose to return to her hometown of Wonju, Gangwon Province, to carry on the family business of oil pressing. Advertisement 'At first, I just wanted to help my mum – the work is physically demanding,' Moon, owner of artisanal perilla roastery and cafe Okhee Mill, said in a recent interview. 'Then I saw how much satisfaction my mum got from her work. Customers would bring their own perilla or sesame seeds and pay for the pressing service. And when they left, they said 'thank you' – that made her happy and dedicated.' Inspired, Moon began months of study to take over her mother's business and became fascinated by perilla seeds and oil. She named the roastery-cafe in honour of her mother, Ok-Hee, preserving a piece of family legacy in every seed. 'Perilla seeds are a very unique and attractive ingredient,' she said. History of perilla A display of perilla oil products at Okhee Mill. Photo: @okhee_mill/Instagram Unlike sesame , which originated in India and the Middle East's milder climates, perilla – a leafy plant in the mint family – thrives in tougher climates. It is believed to have been introduced to the Korean peninsula from China in ancient times. According to the National Institute of Crop and Food Science, the first mention of the cultivation of perilla in Korea was in Hyangyakjipseongbang, a 15th-century medical book published during the reign of the Joseon Dynasty's (1392-1910) King Sejong . Farmers in mountainous regions often grew perilla as a hardy, reliable crop. According to Lim Jong-yeon, a certified trainee of National Intangible Cultural Heritage-designated Joseon royal court cuisine, perilla oil was widely used in the royal kitchen during the Joseon era. Perilla vs. sesame Visitors can pick up an array of perilla-related gifts, including a set of oils. Photo: @okhee_mill/Instagram Though they may resemble each other, perilla and sesame differ in flavour and growing conditions. Sesame seeds, often roasted, are widely used in Korean cuisine as a garnish for everything from vegetable dishes to sauces and dips. Their oil, chamgireum in Korean, is a kitchen staple known for its savoury and nutty flavour, and is used in dishes like bibimbap (steamed rice mixed with vegetables and meat) and various salads.
Malay Mail
12-05-2025
- Malay Mail
Live-fire drills to resume in South Korea, two months after jets accidentally bombed town
SEOUL, May 12 — The Air Force will resume most live-fire drills starting this week, officials said, about two months after suspending such drills following a mistaken bombing of a civilian town in March by two fighter jets. According to Yonhap News Agency, this week, the Air Force will start to consecutively resume live-fire drills at training ranges each located in the western coast and the inner mountain regions of Gangwon Province, the armed service said in a notice to reporters. On March 6, the KF-16 fighter jets mistakenly dropped eight MK-82 bombs outside a training range in Pocheon, some 40 kilometres north of Seoul, injuring 52 people and prompting the Air Force to halt all live-fire drills. The Air Force has completed safety evaluations at the training facilities prior to the resumption of live-fire drills, intended to maintain military readiness, it said. Still, live-fire drills at the Seungjin Fire Training Field in Pocheon will continue to be put on hold, the Air Force said, adding it will review the issue going forward. Both the Air Force and the defence ministry have pointed to pilot error over the unprecedented bombing of a civilian town, with the two pilots believed to have erroneously entered the target coordinates prior to the live-fire drills. The pilots have been booked over charges of professional negligence resulting in injury and damaging military facilities. They have also been suspended from air duty for one year. — Bernama-Yonhap
