SEOUL, South Korea (AP) – South Korean President Lee Jae Myung made a significant return to the historic presidential palace, Cheong Wa Dae, on Monday, marking his first commute to the site since he took office in June. This event comes over three years after his predecessor, Yoon Suk Yeol, shifted the presidential office to a Defense Ministry compound.

This commute is notable as it is the first time a South Korean president has traveled to Cheong Wa Dae since May 9, 2022, the last day of former President Moon Jae-in's tenure. Following Yoon's inauguration, he operated from a converted Defense Ministry building in Yongsan, central Seoul.

Lee Jae Myung emerged victorious in a snap presidential election held in June, which followed the impeachment and removal of Yoon Suk Yeol due to a brief declaration of martial law in December 2024. The relocation of the presidential office back to Cheong Wa Dae, also known as the Blue House, represents Lee's intent to distance his administration from the controversial legacy of his jailed predecessor, Yoon.

Cheong Wa Dae, situated on the lower slopes of a mountain in northern Seoul, spans approximately 250,000 square meters (62 acres) and is located behind the historic Gyeongbokgung Palace. Having served as the presidential office since South Korea’s government was established after liberation from Japanese colonial rule, Cheong Wa Dae has seen several renovations over the decades.

Yoon's decision to relocate to the Defense Ministry was motivated by claims that Cheong Wa Dae was too disconnected from the public. The relocation reportedly cost around $40 million, with Yoon arguing that moving the presidential office would promote a more democratic governance style. As part of this transition, he opened portions of Cheong Wa Dae for public tours, which attracted millions of visitors.

However, Yoon soon faced widespread criticism after his declaration of martial law on December 3, 2024, during an impasse with Lee’s liberal Democratic Party, which controlled the National Assembly and challenged many of Yoon's policy initiatives. The martial law, which lasted only a few hours, was rescinded when lawmakers managed to overturn it despite being physically blocked by military forces.

Consequently, Yoon was impeached later that month and formally removed from office by a Constitutional Court ruling in April 2025. Following his ousting, he was re-arrested in July 2025, and now confronts severe criminal charges, including rebellion, which could result in a life sentence or even the death penalty.

In preparation for Lee’s first commute, officials raised a presidential flag featuring two phoenixes over Cheong Wa Dae at midnight, symbolizing the palace's reinstatement as the official presidential office. As Lee's motorcade entered the compound gates, guards saluted while dozens of supporters waved South Korean flags and chanted his name. After his arrival, Lee's office shared a video of him convening a tea meeting with senior aides in one of Cheong Wa Dae’s rooms.

Lee Jae Myung’s office announced that he will continue to commute from his temporary presidential residence in another area of Seoul until the official move back to Cheong Wa Dae occurs at an unspecified date.