President Yoon Seok-yeol began his 20th presidential term at 00:00 today (10th).
President Yoon started official duties today at the situation room of the National Crisis Management Center (underground bunker) located in the basement of the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul, receiving a report from the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Receiving a report to the Joint Chiefs of Staff as the first task means exercising the commander-in-chief of the military by first receiving a report on the military's working situation and readiness posture through the national command and communications network.
Taking over the commander-in-chief is a key process for taking over the legal authority and role as the head of state.
Successive presidents usually started their terms of office by receiving the Joint Chiefs of Staff report over the phone on the day of their inauguration either at the Office of the Presidential Officer or at their home.
In contrast to this, President Yoon chose to report the so-called 'Yongsan Bunker' to dispel concerns about a security vacuum surrounding the relocation of the office during the regime change period and to prepare for the escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula caused by North Korea's armed protests.
The National Crisis Management Center was originally located in the Blue House underground bunker as a place where the National Security Council (NSC) was held.
The level of protocol and security for President Yoon was also upgraded to head of state from 00:00 on the same day.
(Photo = Provided by the Office of the President-elect's spokesperson, Yonhap News)