The question of where South Korea’s presidential office should be located has reemerged as a divisive political issue in the lead-up to the June 3 presidential election, with candidates proposing a range of relocation plans in response to sustained public and institutional backlash against the current Yongsan compound.

Initially relocated from the Blue House — South Korea’s traditional seat of power — to the defense ministry’s compound in Yongsan by former President Yoon Suk-yeol in 2022, the current presidential office has since been plagued by security concerns and associated with Yoon’s martial law declaration, which have reignited calls to move the executive branch once again.