Blue House extends reservation times, opens more gates to visitors

The Chunchumun Gate (YONHAP)

The Blue House is changing its policies to accommodate more visitors, extending the closing time for online reservations and opening more entrance gates, the Cheong Wa Dae Foundation announced on Monday.

The closing time for online reservations will be extended from 4:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., starting on Thursday. On-site admission — reserved for senior citizens, national meritors and foreigners — will be shortened, from 5:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. This is to reduce confusion and increase opportunities to visit the Blue House, the foundation said.

The Blue House will also allow group visits through the Chunchumun Gate, providing visitors with a “more comfortable and pleasant environment.”

Groups of 11 or more visitors enter through the Chunchumun gate. This reduces the confusion caused by crowds at the main entrance and speeds up the entry process. The nearby Chunchugwan building and restrooms are also easily accessible, the foundation said.

“We prioritize providing a comfortable and pleasant environment for visitors to fully appreciate the value and charm of the Blue House, which is open to the public,” said a representative of the Cheong Wa Dae Foundation. “We will continue to make efforts to make the Blue House more comfortable and accessible, and bring it closer to the people.”

BY KIM MIN-YOUNG ([email protected])