Police are stepping up safety round Cheong Wa Dae as the federal government prepares to maneuver the presidential workplace again to the compound by 12 months’s finish.
In accordance with native media experiences on Sunday, Jongno Police Station is reviewing plans to revive 24-hour operations at close by substations in preparation for the relocation.
At present, the substations are working with diminished employees and are open solely from 9 a.m. to six p.m. on weekdays. They’re anticipated to return to a 24/7 schedule, with 4 rotating groups of 5 officers every to strengthen safety.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Company’s models answerable for on-site and perimeter safety round Cheong Wa Dae are additionally stated to be finishing preparatory work.
These measures come because the Lee Jae Myung authorities prepares to relocate from the present presidential workplace in Seoul’s Yongsan District to Cheong Wa Dae inside the subsequent two months.
“Development is underway with the purpose of finishing it by year-end,” Kang Hoon-sik, the presidential chief of employees, stated whereas talking in regards to the relocation throughout a Nationwide Meeting audit session Thursday.
Nevertheless, transferring the presidential residence again to the compound is probably not possible by then and will lengthen into the primary half of subsequent 12 months, Kang stated, citing ongoing development and additional safety preparations.
Lee has stated the presidential workplace ought to return to Cheong Wa Dae since his presidential marketing campaign, citing its historical past, cultural significance and safety benefits.
Underneath Lee’s predecessor, former President Yoon Suk Yeol, the workplace moved to a former protection ministry constructing in Yongsan District in 2022, and Cheong Wa Dae was opened to the general public as a cultural web site.
Public excursions have been suspended Aug. 1 as preparations started for Lee’s return.
The reinstatement of Cheong Wa Dae safety zones is anticipated to have an effect on close by roads and will complicate protest administration, as no legal guidelines are presently in place to instantly restrict demonstrations close to the presidential compound.
Protests inside 100 meters of the presidential residence had lengthy been banned, however the Constitutional Courtroom struck down the restriction in December 2022, ruling that it excessively restricted freedom of expression. Police stated they’re getting ready various measures underneath current legal guidelines to take care of safety.
