Kim Dae-jung's Ilsan residence to reopen for public visits

The former residence of South Korean President Kim Dae-jung in Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province, will reopen its doors to the public on July 7. The site, which served as Kim's home before his presidency, has been meticulously preserved to reflect the pivotal period of his political career, including his transition to power and key policy discussions.

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The DJ (Kim Dae-jung) Ilsan residence is a space where the traces of the period leading up to the presidential election and the change of government remain intact.

Kim Dae-jung resided in the Ilsan house from its completion in December 1995. It was from this location that he addressed the Asian financial crisis immediately after his presidential election victory in December 1997. He also held significant meetings there in January 1998 with figures like George Soros and IMF Managing Director Michel Camdessus. Furthermore, his 'sunshine policy' for peaceful inter-Korean relations was solidified during his time at this residence.

The Gyeonggi provincial government purchased the residence in March 2020 for 2.35 billion won and opened it as a memorial hall in June 2021. The space was curated to showcase Kim Dae-jung's life, his contributions to democratization, his vision for peace, and the legacy of his wife, Lee Hee-ho.

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The city purchased the residence in March 2020 for 2.35 billion won and opened it as a memorial hall in June 2021.

However, the memorial hall was closed to the public in January 2023 during the previous mayoral administration due to budget cuts. The operating budget of approximately 90 million won was slashed, leaving only minimal funds for utilities and property taxes. The contracts for the site's manager and two guides were not renewed, effectively turning the historically significant space into a mere building under minimal management. This closure drew criticism from local civic groups and politicians who advocated for its reopening as an educational hub for democracy, human rights, and peace.

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However, the memorial hall was closed to the public in January 2023... due to budget cuts... leaving only minimal funds for utilities and property taxes.

The reopening is a direct response to these calls and a key pledge of the newly elected mayor, Min Kyung-sun. He included the memorial hall's reopening as his first administrative action upon taking office on July 1. The city plans to operate the memorial hall on a reservation basis, offering free admission and guided tours to share President Kim Dae-jung's spirit of democracy, human rights, and peace with the public.

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Local civic groups and politicians had been protesting, saying that the historical space could not be closed to the public.