South Korea's Defense Ministry and JCS to Relocate Back to Yongsan Amid Presidential Office Move

The South Korean presidential office plans to return to Cheong Wa Dae by the end of December, prompting the Ministry of National Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) to prepare for relocation back to their original headquarters in Yongsan. This move aims to restore the previous operational layout from three years ago.

The Ministry is seeking 23.86 billion won ($16.2 million) for network upgrades and moving costs, but the National Assembly's defense committee has cut the funding request. The costs associated with the presidential office's relocation to Cheong Wa Dae total 25.9 billion won, lower than the 37.8 billion won spent on the move to Yongsan in 2022.

Analysts estimate total spending over the past three years related to these moves could exceed 130 billion won. The completion of the relocations is expected next year, dependent on the presidential office's transition.