Easter Parade Spanning 140 Years of Korean Christianity to Be Held... "A Cultural Festival for Everyone"

First Easter Parade Held in Korea
Over 10,000 Participants from 60 Teams in 1.7km Route

"We want to create a joyful festival where all lives come together as one, regardless of race, gender, or religion."

This is the statement of Pastor So Gang-seok of Sae Eden Church, who is the executive chairman of the '2023 Easter Parade.' At a press conference held on the 28th at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, Pastor So said, "This is the first Easter parade in the 140-year history of Korean Christianity," adding, "We aim to hold a parade of hope at Gwanghwamun Square, which has been full of division and conflict." Easter commemorates Jesus who was crucified on the cross and is one of the two biggest Christian holidays alongside Christmas.

On the morning of the 28th, attendees are taking a commemorative photo at the press conference for the launch of the 2023 Easter Parade Organizing Committee held at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul. From the left: Gam Kyung-cheol, Chairman of CTS Christian TV; Pastor So Kang-seok; Lee Young-hoon, President of the Korea Christian Federation; and Lee Cheol, Chairman of the Korean Methodist Church.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Easter parade was originally planned from 2020 but was held online due to the sudden spread of COVID-19, and this year marks the first in-person event. On the 11th, the organizing committee was launched mainly by denominations affiliated with the Korea Christian Federation. Pastor Lee Young-hoon of Yoido Full Gospel Church, the president of HanKyoChong, and five others serve as co-chairs, while Pastor So Gang-seok of Sae Eden Church serves as the executive chairman. CTS Christian TV hosts the event, with support from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

The red solid line in the center photo indicates the parade route.
[Photo by Korea Christian Federation]

The parade is divided into the Old Testament zone, New Testament zone, Modern and Contemporary (Resurrection) zone, and Next Generation zone. Over 10,000 participants from about 60 teams will form a procession along a 1.7 km route from Gwanghwamun Square through Sejong-daero to Seoul Plaza and back to the starting point. The bands, mounted units, and large ad balloon formations will depict biblical stories such as the Miracle of the Red Sea and the Pyongyang Great Revival, as well as the 140-year history of the Korean church. There will also be a stroller parade, character procession, dance teams, flower palanquins, pungmul (traditional Korean percussion), and mask plays.

The organizers plan to make the parade an annual event starting this year. Lee Cheol, the superintendent of the Korean Methodist Church and co-chair of the event, said, "I hope this parade will establish itself as a means to bring peace to a society deepened in conflict and to deliver hope to people struggling with various difficulties."

On the day of the event, at 4 p.m., the Korean Church Easter Joint Worship will be held at Yeongnak Church in Jung-gu, Seoul, followed by a commemorative concert at Gwanghwamun Square starting at 5:30 p.m. Singers Nam Jin and Ailee will perform on stage.