Cheong Wa Dae: The Sustainability and Place-Making of a Cultural Landmark, Reflecting Its Role in History and Architecture
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Background and Literature Review
2.1. History and Background of Cheong Wa Dae
2.1.1. History of Cheong Wa Dae
2.1.2. Changes in Cheong Wa Dae During Different Presidential Administrations
President Roh Tae-Woo (February 1988~February 1992)
President Kim Young-Sam (February 1993~February 1998)
President Kim Dae-Jung (February 1998~February 2003)
President Roh Moo-Hyun (February 2003~February 2008)
President Lee Myung-Bak and Park Geun-Hae (February 2008~February 2013, February 2013~March 2017)
President Yoon Suk-Yeol (May 2022~Present)
2.2. Architectural Characteristics of Cheong Wa Dae
2.2.1. Main Building
2.2.2. Young Bin Kwan
2.2.3. President’s Official Residence
2.2.4. Sang Choon Jae
3. Research Methodology
3.1. Analysis of Current Programs and Events
3.2. Review of the Statistical Data on Cheong Wa Dae Visitors
4. Discussion
5. Conclusions
- Leveraging its physical environment to host global events, promote natural landscapes, and facilitate biodiversity initiatives.
- Developing programs that emphasize cultural and culinary experiences, as well as enhancing visitor engagement through heritage-based offerings [39].
- Incorporating principles of sustainability, and aligning programs with the UN SDGs, to ensure long-term ecological and social benefits.
Author Contributions
Funding
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Performances | Exhibitions | Educational Courses |
---|---|---|
15 Seasonal Concerts | 7 Venue Hires | 3 History and Architecture |
1 Taekwondo Demo | 4 Trees and Forest 1 Venue Hire | |
6 Traditional Concerts 3 Night Tours 2 Venue Hires |
Year | Number of Visitors (Per Year) | No. of Navigation Destination Entries | Cultural Tour (%) | Historical Tour (%) | Most Popular Destinations | Tourist Attractions of Interest |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | 141,843,568 | 2,373,156 | 684,075 | 299,402 | Kyungbok Palace | Kyungbok Palace |
(28.8%) | (12.6%) | MMA | Kyungkyojang (D) | |||
Kwanghwamun | Bukchon Village Changduk Palace Insadong (I) | |||||
2020 | 104,020,835 | 2,239,689 | 588,564 (26.3%) | 225,969 (10.1%) | MMA Kwanghwamun (D) Kyungbok Palace (I) | Kyungbok Palace Donui Museum (D) Bukchon Village Changduk Palace (I) |
2021 | 107,124,443 | 2,697,643 | 679,127 (25.2%) | 305,496 (11.3%) | NMMA (D) Kyungbok Palace (I) | Kyungbok Palace Iksundong |
Kwagnhwamun | Ground Seesaw | |||||
2022 | 130,160,538 | 3,275,565 | 826,406 | 415,075 | NMMA (D) Kyungbok Place (I) Kwanghwamun | Kyungbok Palace Iksundong Changduk Palace Insadong (I) |
(25.2%) | (12.7%) | |||||
CheongWaDae (I) | ||||||
2023 | 138,906,958 | 3,252,811 | 814,416 | 393,663 | Kyungbok Palace NMMA Kwanghwamun | Insadong Iksundong (D) Kyungbok Palace (I) Ground Seesaw CheongWaDae (I) |
(25%) | (12.1%) | |||||
Questions | Answers |
---|---|
Reasons for Visiting Cheong Wa Dae (Multiple Responses) | Curiosity about the President’s working space (36.9%) Because it is a viewing area being opened to the public for the first time (29.0%) Interest in its historical significance in connection with Gyeongbokgung Palace (11.8%) Interest in the surrounding natural environment, such as hiking trails (6.0%) |
Future Directions for the Use and Management of Cheong Wa Dae (Multiple Responses) | Preserve its original form as it currently stands, reflecting the life and history of the President (40.9%) A modern historical and cultural space preserving the history and national heritage from the past to the present (22.4%) A new cultural and artistic space, such as a museum or exhibition hall (15.2%) |
Priorities for the Management and Operation of Cheong Wa Dae | Prevention of damage and preservation of Cheong Wa Dae’s buildings, natural green spaces, and trees (64.3%) Operation of programs that highlight the historical significance and symbolism of Cheong Wa Dae (23.8%) |
Education (Historical Significance) | Cultural Landmark | Experience of Culinary Tradition | Promotion of Sustainability | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Social Sustainability (SDGs: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 11, 16) | Learning from permanent and special exhibitions of past presidents’ lives and work and of key events of Korea’s democratic history | Learning from utilizing 253,505 m2 of landscape of Cheong Wa Dae, preservation and maintenance | Themed cooking classes (culinary culture of Cheong Wa Dae) | Ecological education programs (e.g., biodiversity of the site) Green initiatives |
Environmental Sustainability (SDGs: 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15) | Learning from global political events and issues | Utilizing 253,505 m2 as learning opportunity, hiking trails and tours | Themed cafe and restaurant with a cultural and historical narrative | Platform for energy saving and reuse and energy production initiatives |
Economic Sustainability (SDGs: 8, 9, 10, 12) | Learning from global political events and issues | Venue for hosting high-profile summits and conferences | Food festivals: Global and local partnerships, attract more visitors | Adaptive reuse of the existing structures |
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Kim, J.-y.E.; Shim, Y.-h. Cheong Wa Dae: The Sustainability and Place-Making of a Cultural Landmark, Reflecting Its Role in History and Architecture. Buildings 2025, 15, 155. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15020155
Kim J-yE, Shim Y-h. Cheong Wa Dae: The Sustainability and Place-Making of a Cultural Landmark, Reflecting Its Role in History and Architecture. Buildings. 2025; 15(2):155. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15020155
Chicago/Turabian StyleKim, Ja-young Eunice, and Yong-hwan Shim. 2025. "Cheong Wa Dae: The Sustainability and Place-Making of a Cultural Landmark, Reflecting Its Role in History and Architecture" Buildings 15, no. 2: 155. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15020155
APA StyleKim, J.-y. E., & Shim, Y.-h. (2025). Cheong Wa Dae: The Sustainability and Place-Making of a Cultural Landmark, Reflecting Its Role in History and Architecture. Buildings, 15(2), 155. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15020155