The Story of Our Presidents: Exhibition of Symbolic Props at the Blue House

In celebration of the first anniversary of the opening of the Blue House, props and photos symbolizing past presidents will be exhibited at the Blue House.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that the exhibition ‘The Story of Our Presidents’ will be held from today to August 28 at the main building of the Blue House, Sejong Room, King Inwang Room, and Chunchu Hall.

In this exhibition, symbolic props showing the way of life of past presidents, from President Syngman Rhee to President Moon Jae-in, greet visitors.

■ What props symbolize past presidents?

The props representing each president were selected through consultation with the Presidential Archives, some presidential memorial foundations, and family members.

Park Bo-gyun, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, explained, “We can get a glimpse of the leadership style through the props symbolizing the life of each president, breaking away from the conventional exhibition method that deals with the merits and demerits of past presidents.”

The document that President Syngman Rhee wrote down by hitting the English typewriter with the ‘eagle-type’ was also used in the actual diplomatic arena.

President Park Chung-hee, who carried a drawing notebook, is known for his excellent drawing skills.

A copy of the sketch of ‘Bulgi’, a dog that he drew himself, has been released.

It is said that President Roh Tae-woo, who enjoyed blowing tungso, a memento of his father who died at the age of seven, and the performance were also of a high level.

These are the jogging shoes of President Kim Young-sam, who conceived state affairs while jogging at the Green House of the Blue House every morning.

On August 12, 1993, the day the real-name financial system was announced, former President Kim’s jogging speed was said to be twice as fast as on other days.

Planting flowers helped President Kim Dae-jung endure his long imprisonment. It is said that he organized his thoughts by trimming flowers with scissors while performing the presidency.

President Roh Moo-hyun is also known as an inventor. When I was preparing for the bar exam, a reading stand invented so that I could read while lying down symbolizes a political style that does not circumvent obstacles.

In addition, President Lee Myung-bak’s tennis racket and President Park Geun-hye’s quilted wallet are also on display.

■ Art works seen on the news are right in front of you

The works in the main building where the exhibition is held have been changed into new clothes.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is carrying out a project to restore the main building, where the president received state guests and served from 1991 to 2007.

Artist Kim Shik’s ‘Geumsugangsando’ hung on the central staircase of the main building among the red carpets.

At the time of production, the gold-colored part that was mixed with silver had oxidized and turned black over the years, but the artist himself restored it to its golden color.

Baek Geum-nam’s mural ‘Hunminjeongeum’, which served as the background of the State Council meeting room, and the 10-panel folding screen ‘Aae Ilshinji Korea’ by calligrapher Lee Soo-deok, who welcomed BTS, will also be open to the public.

The number of visitors to the main building where the exhibition is held has been adjusted to 200 at the same time to protect the facilities.