Commemoration of the National Heritage Cheong Launch... Free Admission to Seventy-Six National Heritage Sites

From the 15th to the 19th: Four Palaces, Jongmyo, Joseon Royal Tombs,
Jeju Seongsan Ilchulbong, and Nine Joseon Royal Tomb Forest Trails

The Cultural Heritage Administration will commemorate the launch of the National Heritage Administration (on the 17th) by opening seventy-six national heritage sites nationwide for free from the 15th to the 19th. The sites include the four major palaces directly managed by the administration (Gyeongbokgung, Deoksugung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung), Jongmyo Shrine, Joseon royal tombs, the Amsa-dong archaeological site in Seoul, and Seongsan Ilchulbong in Jeju.

Suwon Hwaseong Haenggung Palace, Namhansanseong Haenggung Palace, Gangneung Ojukheon, Taebaek Yongyeon Cave, Yeongwol Goshi Cave, Danyang Ondal Cave, Gongju Muryeongwang Tomb and Gongsanseong Fortress, Asan Oeam Village, Namwon Gwanghallu Pavilion, Jeonju Gyeonggijeon Shrine, Suncheon Nagan Eupseong Fortress, Gyeongju Daereungwon Area and Kim Yushin's Tomb, Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, Andong Hahoe Village, Yeongju Sosuseowon Confucian Academy, Jeju Pyeongdaeri Bija Tree Forest, Geomun Oreum, Jeongbang Waterfall, Sanbangsan Cliff Plant Zone, and others are also included.

Some national heritage sites will host free performances and events. At Gyeongbokgung Palace, a reenactment will take place showing the king, queen, crown prince, and crown princess strolling through the palace accompanied by mountain and line guards (people carrying ceremonial objects called san and seon to escort the monarch) and military escorts.

In the backyard of Seonjeon Hall at Changdeokgung Palace, performances of Joseon-era court music, songs, and dances such as Saengsobyeongju (a form of playing saenghwang and danso together), Cheoyongmu (a mask dance to ward off evil spirits and pray for royal peace), and Chunaengjeon (a dance composed by Munjo to celebrate the 40th birthday of Queen Sunwon, his mother) will be held. At the Chundangji Pond area of Changgyeonggung Palace, a nighttime media art performance titled "Changgyeonggung Mulbit Yeonhwa" (Changgyeonggung Water Light Lotus) will be presented.

The Cultural Heritage Administration will also temporarily open nine forest trails around Joseon royal tombs until the 30th of next month. These include the 'Hwirung~Wonneung and Gyeongneung~Nature Learning Center Forest Trails' at Donggureung in Guri, 'Bokjagi Tree Forest Trail' at Gwangneung in Namyangju, 'Pine Tree Trail behind the Royal Tomb' at Sareung in Namyangju, 'Taereung~Gangneung Forest Trail' in Seoul and Gangneung, 'Yungrung~Geonrung Forest Trail' at Yungrung and Geonrung in Hwaseong, 'Gongneung North and Yeongneung~Sunnung Small Pond Forest Trail' at Samneung in Paju, 'Outer Forest Trail of Yeongneung' in Yeoju, 'Cheonjangsan Forest Trail' at Uireung in Seoul, and 'Gongneung Royal Tomb North Forest Trail' at Jangneung in Paju.

The National Palace Museum will celebrate the launch of the National Heritage Administration with special exhibitions such as "Royal Library Exhibition," "People Who Protected National Heritage," and "Hwaseong Experience: An 8-Day Royal Procession in Digital." The National Intangible Heritage Center will also enliven the atmosphere with the festival-style performance "Dasi Rak (樂) Festival" and the traditional performance "Everyone's Yeonhui" featuring Pannoreum (traditional Korean mask play).

The Cultural Heritage Administration stated, "As the term 'Cultural Heritage' changes to 'National Heritage,' we hope this becomes an opportunity to share and protect precious assets that encompass both the present and the future, thereby adding value." The Cultural Heritage Administration is changing its name to the National Heritage Administration to overcome the limitations of cultural heritage policies and establish a national heritage system that aligns with the changed policy environment and international standards. It plans to reorganize its structure and systems and develop various policies in accordance with the transformed national heritage system.