Museum Tour Featuring Joseon Royal Seals

Seongbuk-gu Operates 2023 World Heritage Utilization Program ‘Museum Tour with Joseon Royal Seals’ in Collaboration with Korea Heritage Center and Korea University Museum

A historical and cultural experience program to promote and pass on the meaning and value of the UNESCO World Documentary Heritage Joseon Royal Seals and Royal Documents, consisting of three detailed programs: ▲The Splendid Joseon Royal Documentary Heritage, Seals and Documents ▲I am also a World Heritage Keeper, ‘Wear the Seals and Documents!’ ▲The Crown Prince Hyomyeong Who Left Beautiful Joseon Cultural Heritage

Seongbuk-gu (Mayor Lee Seung-ro) is operating the ‘2023 World Heritage Utilization Program’ featuring the UNESCO World Documentary Heritage ‘Joseon Royal Seals and Royal Documents’ held by the Korea University Museum.

This project, selected through a Cultural Heritage Administration public contest, is co-hosted by the Korea Heritage Center (CEO Kim Hye-ri) and the Korea University Museum (Director Song Yang-seop).

Queen Wongyeong's Gold Seal (Goryeo University Museum Collection)

Under the title ‘Museum Tour with Joseon Royal Seals (巡幸)’, this program provides a high-quality historical and cultural experience to promote and pass on the symbolic meaning and value of the ‘Seals’ used as ceremonial stamps symbolizing the authority of the Joseon royal family and the ‘Royal Documents’ which are royal edicts issued during appointments and conferments, recognized as World Documentary Heritage.

Centered on the introduction of the Seals and Royal Documents, three detailed programs will be operated at the Korea University Museum: ▲The Splendid Joseon Royal Documentary Heritage, Seals and Documents ▲I am also a World Heritage Keeper, ‘Wear the Seals and Documents!’ ▲The Crown Prince Hyomyeong Who Left Beautiful Joseon Cultural Heritage.

‘The Splendid Joseon Royal Documentary Heritage, Seals and Documents’ will be held four times on April 1, May 13, June 10, and July 8. Participants will learn about the legitimacy and significance of the Joseon royal family through the royal seals and documents, experience royal appointment ceremonies and costumes, and create their own personal seal (Eobo) symbolizing ‘me’.

‘I am also a World Heritage Keeper, ‘Wear the Seals and Documents!’ will be held four times on August 5, August 12, October 14, and November 4. Participants will learn the traditional wrapping method (Bonggwa) used for the Joseon royal seals and documents, and wrap a precious item (seal) and a letter to their future self (document) using traditional techniques.

‘The Crown Prince Hyomyeong Who Left Beautiful Joseon Cultural Heritage’ will be held on October 21. This performance depicts the appointment and life of Crown Prince Hyomyeong, exploring the royal etiquette and daily life of the crown prince. The program concludes with a scene where Crown Prince Hyomyeong performs the Chun-aengmu dance, created to celebrate the birthday of his mother, Lady Suk-won, showcasing his efforts to enhance royal authority and dignity as the heir.

The 2023 World Heritage Utilization Program ‘Museum Tour with Joseon Royal Seals (巡幸)’ will be conducted face-to-face while strictly adhering to quarantine guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Inbin Kim Clan Abstract Posthumous Title Bamboo Book (Collection of Korea University Museum)

Applications can be made via Google Forms, and for program participation and detailed information, inquiries can be directed to the Korea Heritage Center.

Lee Seung-ro, Mayor of Seongbuk-gu, said, “I hope this World Heritage Utilization Program will serve as an opportunity to further promote the unique meaning and value of the Joseon royal seals and documents,” adding, “We will continue to strive to develop cultural heritage into tourism resources in various ways so that more people can enjoy the cultural heritage of Seongbuk-gu.”