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| The Ministry of National Defense building in Seoul's Yongsan District / Yonhap |
Residents in the neighborhood around the new presidential office showed mixed reactions on the first day of the relocation Tuesday, with some, especially shop owners, expressing hopes it would lead to increased sales and others voicing concern about traffic congestion and noise from rallies.
President Yoon Suk-yeol began work at what previously was the defense ministry building in Seoul's Yongsan District after carrying out his election promise to move the presidential office out of Cheong Wa Dae in an effort to connect better with the people.
Kim Se-in welcomed Yoon working in the neighborhood, saying that the relocation of the presidential office will accelerate the development of Yongsan, which was previously considered as a neglected and underdeveloped part of Seoul.
"I hope Yongsan will be the new center for the capital," Kim said. She has lived in the region for her entire life.
A 49-year-old citizen surnamed Yang ― who owns a coffee shop adjacent to the compound ― was excited about the relocation, expressing hope that more people would visit the area.
"I think that more people, including tourists, will come and go, which could eventually help with sales," Yang said.
Other residents, meanwhile, showed concern, calling the relocation decision rushed without fully taking into consideration the inconvenience that could arise from providing security for Yoon during the commute from his private home in southern Seoul to the office.
Lee Kyung-mi, who has lived in the Yongsan area for eight years, worried that streets and roads near the compound will suffer from heavy traffic congestion.
A 27-year-old surnamed Kim who works nearby the compound also expressed unease, saying the decision lacked public support and that he planned to use only the subway as heavy traffic is now expected. (Yonhap)
