Today, when presidents decide to take a jog or go out for a bitetoeat, it is done from within thick concentric rings of armed Secret Service agents and local police.
The preserved village of Bukchon lies between Gyeongbok Palace to the west and Changdeok Palace to the east, where you can wander around restored timber houses and courtyards, and also grab a bitetoeat in one of the area's cafes or restaurants.