S. Korea Blue House opens to public for 1st time in 74 years
By JUNG YOON KIM
Associated Press
SEOUL (AP) — For many South Koreans, the former presidential palace in Seoul was a little-visited, heavily secured mountainside landmark. Now, thousands are being allowed to look inside for the first time in 74 years. The Blue House, whose name in Korean means building with blue roof tiles, opened to the public earlier this month to mark the new South Korean president’s official inauguration. A maximum of 39,000 people a day are being allowed to visit. The opening is part of new South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s pledge to abandon the palace and establish his offices at the Defense Ministry compound in the Yongsan district, about 3 miles away.