As the presidential office is set to return to the Blue House in December, police are preparing measures to strengthen security and guard duties around the Blue House.
Park Jeong-bo, Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Commissioner, said at a regular press briefing on the morning of the 17th, "Since September, we have formed a task force (TF) led by the Head of Team, deputy commissioner for public safety, to draw up security and guard measures related to the presidential office's return to the Blue House."
Personnel who had moved to Yongsan Police Station will return to Jongno Police Station, which has jurisdiction over the Blue House. In addition, the Ogin and Tongui police boxes near the Blue House, where two officers had worked only from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, will be staffed with 24 to 36 officers.
Commissioner Park said, "Police have decades of know-how in guarding and securing the Blue House," while noting, "Since there have been changes in circumstances after the transfer of the presidential office to Yongsan, we are establishing and implementing measures suited to this."
The area near the Blue House has established itself as a "running course" and a tourist hotspot for foreigners, but police said restrictions are inevitable with the presidential office returning. The police plan to finalize specific security and guard measures in consultation with the Presidential Security Service.