Songpa-gu Launches Planning Committee for Standard Portrait to Erect Statue of Geunchogo-wang

The Breath of Baekje Lives On: Songpa-gu, a 2000-Year-Old Historical City, Foundation of Ancient Cultural Beauty and Resident Coexistence

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Songpa-gu (Mayor Seongsoo Park) launched the Standard Portrait Planning Promotion Committee on the 28th for the construction of a statue of Geunchogo-wang, the 13th king of Baekje.

A standard portrait refers to a portrait designated as the standard appearance of historical figures in Korean history by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea.

Songpa-gu was the capital for 493 years during the Hanseong period of Baekje, which led the golden age in Baekje's 678-year history.

Accordingly, to strengthen the identity of Baekje Hanseong, harmonized with the Pungnap-dong earthen fortress, Mongchon earthen fortress, and Seokchon and Bangi-dong tumulus cluster sites, the district plans to promote the construction of a statue of Geunchogo-wang and the production of a standard portrait.

The Standard Portrait Planning Promotion Committee will operate as a public-private cooperation organization to efficiently promote the production of the standard portrait. Experts from various fields such as history, archaeology, costume history, and art are expected to participate.

The standard portrait draft produced by the committee will be finally designated after review by the Portrait and Statue Deliberation Committee of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Geunchogo-wang of Baekje not only secured the largest territory of Baekje through active conquest activities but also led Baekje's golden age with various achievements such as maritime trade and foreign exchanges.

The "Samguk Sagi" Baekje Annals records that he was "large in stature, had a strange appearance, and possessed a broad vision."

Mayor Seongsoo Park stated, “Through the production of the Geunchogo-wang standard portrait, we will be able to share a sense of solidarity with the Baekje regions such as Gongju, Buyeo, and Iksan,” and added, “We will do our best to transform Songpa into a historical and cultural city where the beauty of ancient culture coexists with local residents.”