According to a representative for President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol, the goal is to open Cheong Wa Dae to the public "before the spring blossoms wither," implying that the property would be transformed into a public space before Yoon's inauguration, which is scheduled for May 1.

In her remarks, Yoon's spokesperson, Kim Eun-hye, said that the president and his transition team are contemplating moving the presidential office to either the foreign ministry building in Gwanghwamun or the defense ministry complex in Yongsan.

According President Kim, "we will return Cheong Wa Dae to the people before the spring blossoms wither."

If elected, Yoon committed during the campaign to establish his office at Gwanghwamun, the Seoul government complex, and to make the Cheong Wa Dae compound accessible to the public.

Because of its benefits in terms of security and other concerns, the defense ministry facility in Yongsan has lately emerged as a viable alternative because of its location.

The foreign ministry building and the military ministry complex will be visited by certain members of Yoon's transition team later on Friday, according to Yoon.

According to Kim, the ultimate location will be determined by Yoon's transition committee following an on-site examination.

In her opinion, there should be a general agreement on this because it was the most essential commitment made by President-elect Yoon. The process of gathering diverse perspectives as well as having debates and discussions will begin immediately following today's inspection, according to the official.

Because of its position on a secluded property in the foothills of a mountain just north of Gwanghwamun, Cheong Wa Dae has been criticized as a symbol of a "imperial" presidency and as a factor in the president's perceived lack of connection with the general populace.

According to Kim, "what we're going to do is get out of Cheong Wa Dae, which has served as a symbol of absolute authority throughout Korean history." "We shall be restoring the people's authority," says the president.

According to media sources, moving the presidential office might cost as much as 1 trillion won ($827.9 million) in total. Kim, on the other hand, believes such an estimate is "excessive," and that the transition team will not squander public money on it.