Seoul, Gyeonggi-do, Suwon, and Hwaseong Resume 'Joint Reenactment of King Jeongjo's Royal Procession' After 3 Years

Reenactment of 43.5km out of 59.2km Eulmyo Royal Procession from Changdeokgung to Yungneung
First digital recreation of 'Baedari' used to cross the Han River, experience 'Media Baedari'

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government, Suwon City, and Hwaseong City announced on the 3rd that they will hold the largest historical and cultural festival in Korea, the "Joint Reenactment of King Jeongjo's Royal Procession," which reenacts King Jeongjo's 1795 Eulmyo Year Royal Procession from Changdeokgung Palace to Suwon Hwaseong Fortress and Yungneung Tomb, over two days on the 8th and 9th.

The "King Jeongjo Royal Procession" began in 1996 when Suwon City reenacted part of the procession route within Suwon (8 km). In 2016, Seoul participated to reenact the procession from Changdeokgung Palace to Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, and from 2017, with Hwaseong City's participation, the entire route from Changdeokgung to Yungneung was reenacted. Since 2018, Gyeonggi Province has also joined, establishing a foundation for cooperative growth as a joint local government festival.

This year’s event, resuming after three years due to COVID-19, will reenact 43.5 km of the total 59.2 km route from Changdeokgung Palace to Yungneung. Seoul will cover a partial section from Changdeokgung Palace to Siheung 5-dong Community Center, while Suwon and Hwaseong will cover the entire section from Anyang to Hwaseong (Yungneung). Seoul’s procession will consist of 200 participants leading 20 horses, divided into sections to reenact the procession. The northern Seoul section runs from Changdeokgung Palace through Jongno 3-ga to Sejong-daero Intersection. After the northern section ends, the scene of crossing the Han River via the Media Baedari at Nodeul Island will be reenacted. Then, the southern Seoul section procession continues from Geumcheon District Office to Siheung 5-dong Community Center. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the procession is conducted in divided sections.

The most notable feature of this year’s event is the digitally revived "Media Baedari." The Baedari (a bridge made by connecting boats) used by King Jeongjo’s procession to cross the Han River has been recreated using LED technology as a media installation. The "Media Baedari" will be installed on the central passageway leading from the first floor interior of Nodeul Island to the lawn plaza, measuring 25 meters in length and 4 meters in height. The reenactment will demonstrate King Jeongjo leading the procession across the Media Baedari, and afterwards, citizens can freely view the installation.

Additionally, various experiential programs will be prepared at major locations such as Gwanghwamun Square, Haenggung Square, and Yungneung to provide abundant sights and activities. The journey, starting from the departure ceremony at Changdeokgung Palace and continuing to Gwanghwamun Square, will feature the "Mium Daban," where King Jeongjo offers rice gruel to Lady Hyegyeong, and "Narye Siyeon," a modern reinterpretation of a ritual to drive away evil spirits. At Suwon Haenggung Square, the "Gilmajae Tug-of-War" will be held, and at Yungneung, the "Hyeollyungwon Jeryang" ritual performance will take place.

For the safe and smooth operation of the event, traffic will be restricted on some sections within Seoul, Suwon, and Hwaseong cities on the day of the event. Joo Yong-tae, Director of the Cultural Headquarters, said, “As the King Jeongjo Royal Procession, the greatest comprehensive cultural and artistic festival of its time, resumes after a long hiatus, we have prepared diverse attractions at each key location. We hope many citizens will visit to honor King Jeongjo’s filial piety, benevolence, and politics of communication, and find vitality in their daily lives.”