Presidential Retreat Chong Nam Dae to be Open to Public

President Roh Moo-hyun said on March 6 that he would not use Cheong Nam Dae, the presidential summer retreat located in North Chungcheong Province.

Concerning his campaign pledge on opening up the presidential retreat and returning it to local residents, “President Roh decided not to use Chong Nam Dae as his summer house,” said Mun Jae-in, senior presidential secretary for public affairs. “He instructed us to discuss the issue of returning the retreat with the governor of the province for the interest of local resident.”

“Since the returning of the retreat must go through a due sale process set for government assets, we are still considering whether to relinquish only the right to management or the entire proprietorship to the local government,” Mun added.

Jeong-Hun Kim jnghn@donga.com