1. Introduction to the text
This article discusses the need to renovate the presidential office, the Blue House, to create a more open and communicative workspace for the president and their staff. It highlights the aging infrastructure and security concerns of the current buildings, and suggests incorporating a bunker function in a new facility to prepare for potential crises.
2. Vocabulary
| Korean Word | Romanization | English Meaning | Contextual Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 리모델링 | rimodeuring | renovation, remodeling | The Blue House needs to be remodeled now. |
| 적기 | jeokgi | right time, opportune moment | Now is the right time to remodel the Blue House. |
| 소통 | sotong | communication | The president’s office should be a space for communication. |
| 위기 대응 | wigidaeung | crisis response | The aging building is vulnerable to crisis response. |
| 개보수 | gaebosoo | renovation, repair | The government should pursue renovations to the Blue House. |
| 예비비 | yebubi | reserve fund | The president approved 25.9 billion won in reserve funds for the Blue House renovation. |
| 자문 | jamun | consultation, advice | Experts should be consulted on the space, security, and communication aspects. |
| 용산 | yongsan | Yongsan (district in Seoul) | The current president has been working from the Yongsan presidential office. |
| 여민2관 | yeominigwan | Yeomingwan 2 (Blue House building) | The Yeomingwan 2 building was constructed in 1969. |
| 여민3관 | yeomin3gwan | Yeomingwan 3 (Blue House building) | The Yeomingwan 3 building was constructed in 1972. |
| 벙커 | beongkeo | bunker | A bunker function should be incorporated into a new building to allow for normal operations during a crisis. |
3. The main text in both Korean and English
현재는 청와대 리모델링을 위한 적기라고 할 수 있다. 대통령과 참모진 간 소통을 높일 수 있는 수평적 공간으로 바꾸고, 위기 대응에 취약한 낡은 건물을 개보수할 필요가 있다.
Now is the right time to remodel the Blue House. The president’s office should be transformed into a more horizontal, communicative space, and the aging, crisis-vulnerable buildings should be renovated.
이재명 대통령은 최근 국무회의에서 청와대 복귀를 위한 예비비 259억 원을 의결했다. 이는 여야가 합의하에 전문가 자문을 받아 개보수를 추진하기 위한 예산이다.
President Lee Jae-myung recently approved 25.9 billion won in reserve funds for the return to the Blue House at a cabinet meeting. This budget is intended to be used for renovations pursued through bipartisan agreement and expert consultation.
현재 이재명 정부는 용산 대통령실에서 업무를 보고 있다. 여당이 과반 의석을 확보하고 있어 예산 협상에서 유리한 위치에 있다. 또한 청와대의 여민2관과 여민3관은 각각 1969년과 1972년에 준공되어 건물이 낡은 상태다.
The current Lee Jae-myung administration has been operating from the Yongsan presidential office. With the ruling party holding a majority, they are in a favorable position for budget negotiations. The Yeomingwan 2 and Yeomingwan 3 buildings of the Blue House were constructed in 1969 and 1972 respectively, and are now in a dilapidated state.
천 이사장은 북핵 위협에 대비하기 위해 신축 건물에 벙커 기능을 포함해야 한다고 제안했다. 이를 통해 유사시에도 정상적인 업무 수행이 가능할 것이다.
Chairman Cheon suggested that a bunker function should be incorporated into a new building to prepare for the North Korean nuclear threat. This would allow for normal operations even in times of crisis.
전문가들은 청와대 리모델링 시 공간, 보안, 소통 등 각 분야의 의견을 수렴해야 한다고 조언했다. 여야가 합의하에 개보수를 추진한다면 청와대를 현대화하고 위기 대응력을 높일 수 있을 것이다.
Experts advised that the Blue House renovation should gather input from various fields, including space, security, and communication. If the renovation is pursued through bipartisan agreement, the Blue House can be modernized and its crisis response capabilities enhanced.
정부는 청와대 리모델링을 통해 대통령과 참모진 간 소통을 증진시키고, 노후화된 건물을 안전하게 개선할 수 있는 기회를 놓치지 말아야 한다.
The government should seize the opportunity to improve communication between the president and their staff, and safely renovate the aging Blue House buildings through this remodeling project.
4. Reading comprehension questions
- Why is now considered the right time to remodel the Blue House?
- What are the key goals of the proposed Blue House renovation?
- What is the current status of the Yeomingwan 2 and Yeomingwan 3 buildings?
- What additional function does the article suggest incorporating into a new Blue House building?
- What is the role of expert consultation and bipartisan agreement in the Blue House renovation process?
5. Cultural and historical notes
The Blue House, or Cheong Wa Dae, has served as the official residence and office of the President of South Korea since 1948. It is a significant symbol of Korean presidential power and national identity. The proposed renovation aims to modernize this historic building and make it better suited for the needs of the current and future presidents and their administrations.