According to industry sources, KT began the full-scale renovation in the second half of 2021. The project is now nearing completion, with lighting, flooring, ceiling, and wall work being finalized. System testing, environmental preparation, and cleaning are also underway.

A construction official noted, “The timeline was accelerated by two to three months following a request to align the opening with the launch of the new administration.”

The KT Gwanghwamun West building spans 8,349㎡ of land and offers a total floor area of 72,843㎡ across 15 floors above ground and three basement levels. About 13.2% of the land — 1,100㎡ — is owned by the government. Prior to the renovation, three floors were used by presidential commissions, executive advisory councils, and policy implementation agencies.

The Gwanghwamun area is home to several key institutions, including the Government Seoul Complex and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and lies within short distance of both the Yongsan presidential office and the former Blue House. Its location makes it well-suited for agencies involved in state affairs and diplomatic coordination.

KT’s office tower, in particular, provides a secure and independent working environment for commissions and ministries that require operational autonomy.

A real estate industry insider commented, “With the Democratic Party considering a return of the presidential office to Cheong Wa Dae, this building is under review as a potential base for related transitional offices.”

KT also plans to repurpose the remaining office space for tech-driven initiatives. In partnership with Microsoft (MS), the company is setting up a dedicated ‘AX Delivery Center’ along with the ‘AX Innovation Center’ and ‘AX Training Center.’

The facilities are expected to serve as a base for Korea’s next-generation AI development efforts — part of what officials are calling the “Korean-style AI” initiative.

This article was first published by CoreBeat on June 4, 2025.