The presidential office's plan to return to Cheong Wa Dae by month's end is sparking relocations for the Ministry of National Defense and Joint Chiefs of Staff. The move would restore their pre-2022 setup, promising better efficiency. Budget hurdles and an unconfirmed timeline pose challenges.
The presidential office's return to Cheong Wa Dae is underway, prompting relocations for the Ministry of National Defense and Joint Chiefs of Staff. If the schedule proceeds, the two entities will revert to buildings they occupied before the 2022 shift to Yongsan, restoring a layout from three years and seven months ago. The exact timetable remains unconfirmed.
The ministry plans to reclaim its 10-story Yongsan building, now used by the presidential office, which served as its headquarters from 2003 until the Yoon Suk Yeol administration's early relocation there. Since then, it has operated from the adjacent JCS building, with both sharing the space for over three years. Several units and direct-reporting commands dispersed to nearby sites due to space constraints, leading to less smooth communication.
Officials state that reverting to the original setup would enhance operational efficiency for both. JCS personnel note that their former headquarters already includes essential infrastructure like secure networks and mission-support systems. While relocation raises security gap concerns, the JCS assures basic contingency measures are ready, allowing network restoration without major disruptions.
Budget remains a primary obstacle. The ministry requested 23.86 billion won ($16.2 million) for next year, covering network upgrades, facility repairs, and moving expenses: 13.3 billion for IT systems, 6.56 billion for repairs, and 4 billion for services. The National Assembly's defense committee initially approved it, but later deliberations cut the entire amount. If moving forward, reserve funds or alternative sources may be tapped.
The Cheong Wa Dae return costs are also scrutinized. Government documents allocate 25.9 billion won, versus 37.8 billion spent on the 2022 Yongsan move. Including indirect expenses, analysts estimate total spending over three years exceeds 130 billion won. A ministry official said the shift is under review with no final date set. A JCS official added they will plan only after the ministry's schedule is formalized.
