With the presidential election approaching on June 3, interest is focused on the campaign offices of four candidates from the People Power Party as they move into the Daehan Building in Yeouido, Seoul. The Daehan Building has been regarded as a symbolic location in the political arena as it has produced three former presidents.
According to ChosunBiz, Kim Moon-soo, former Minister of Employment and Labor, Daegu Mayor Hong Jun-pyo, former Representative Han Dong-hoon, and Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok have all signed contracts for office space in the Daehan Building. On that day, camp officials were moving office supplies such as desks and computers and conducting wiring work to prepare for the start of operations.
Former Minister Kim and Mayor Yoo have signed lease agreements for office space on the sixth floor of the Daehan Building, located on opposite sides of the elevator. Former Minister Kim leased a total of 495㎡ (approximately 150 pyeong), including a main office space of 264㎡ (approximately 80 pyeong), while Mayor Yoo rented one vacancy of 165㎡ (approximately 50 pyeong).
Former Representative Han has set up his office on the 9th floor, leasing one space of 495㎡ (approximately 150 pyeong).
Mayor Hong has established his campaign office on the 4th floor, leasing a total of 1322㎡ (approximately 400 pyeong), making it the largest space among the four candidates. Half of this will be used as a briefing room. The announcement of his presidential candidacy is also scheduled to take place here on the 14th. Mayor Hong had previously set up a campaign office in the Daehan Building when competing against former President Moon Jae-in in the 2017 presidential election.
The Daehan Building, which was completed in 1985, is a 12-story office building with 4 basement levels. During the 1997 15th presidential election, then-candidate Kim Dae-jung and during the 18th presidential election, then-candidate Park Geun-hye established campaign offices in this building. Former President Yoon Suk-yeol moved his campaign office from the IMA Building in Gwanghwamun to the Daehan Building after being confirmed as the People Power Party’s presidential candidate in 2021.
Members of the Democratic Party also utilized the Daehan Building as a campaign office. During the 2007 presidential election, candidates Jeong Dong-young, Lee Hae-chan, Kim Hyeok-kyu, and Kim Du-kwan, who were part of the precursor to the Democratic Party, the United New Democratic Party, set up offices here. Former Democratic Labor Party leader Kwon Young-gil also had a presidential campaign at the Daehan Building. Candidates Cho Sun and Go Geon, who were elected as Seoul Mayor in the 1995 and 1998 local elections, also had affiliations with this place.
Another reason political figures prefer the Daehan Building is its accessibility to key facilities. It is located 991 meters, a 15-minute walk, from the National Assembly and just 260 meters, a 3-minute walk, from the People Power Party headquarters. The building has a parking facility capable of accommodating about 134 vehicles, and there is a dining area nearby, making it convenient for business meetings.
A camp official noted, "It is easy to come and go to the National Assembly while managing the camp office, and given its symbolic meaning, we decided to establish the office in the Daehan Building."