The presidential office has begun relocating to the Cheong Wa Dae presidential compound, three years and seven months after vacating it for Seoul's Yongsan District under the previous administration.

The move comes after presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik said during a news conference on Sunday that the relocation will be complete around Christmas Day.

Last-minute preparations are also underway at Cheong Wa Dae, which suspended public access to its facilities in August for maintenance.

The offices of the president and his administrative staff will occupy the compound's main building, and presidential secretaries will use the Yeomingwan Wing.

The official residence will not relocate from Seoul’s Hannam neighborhood to the Cheong Wa Dae compound until early next year due to security concerns.