Held for Two Days from September 27 to 28 in the Jeonjwa Village Area
The Meeting of Taejo and Taejong: A Starting Point for Restoring Uijeongbu's Identity
Historical Significance as a City of Kings
Thorough Preparation Based on Historical Verification
From Military City to Cultural City: Reviving Historical Identity
Uijeongbu City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Kim Donggeun) will recreate the "Taejo and Taejong Uijeongbu Royal Procession" for the first time in 620 years as the main program of the 40th Hoeryong Cultural Festival, marking a new turning point in reviving Uijeongbu's historical identity.
Kim Donggeun, mayor of Uijeongbu, beating a drum at the opening ceremony of the 39th Hoeryong Cultural Festival held last year. Courtesy of Uijeongbu City
The city plans to shed its past image as a "military city," transforming Uijeongbu into a culturally rich city with a distinct identity by expanding the historical narrative of reconciliation between Taejo and Taejong into modern content.
This event is expected to serve as a turning point by branding Uijeongbu's historical assets and expanding them into culture, tourism, and industry, shifting the city from a "bedroom community" to a "stay-type cultural city."
Uijeongbu is a city where state affairs were discussed at the beginning of the Joseon Dynasty and is home to numerous historical stories, including the tale of Taejo and Buddhist monk Muhak at Hoeryongsa Temple and Jeonjwa Village.
However, until now, the city has been more strongly associated with its military-focused image, often symbolized by its famous "budae jjigae" (army stew).
This event was organized as a starting point to move beyond these past images, establish historical and cultural values, and take a significant step toward the future.
Alongside Jeonju and Suwon, Uijeongbu is known as a "city of kings" due to its deep historical roots. According to the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, there are records of the king visiting Uijeongbu a total of 54 times: Taejo 13 times (for lodging, hunting, military drills, passing through), Taejong 17 times (to greet the former king, hunting, military drills), Sejong 13 times (military drills, hunting), Danjong once (to watch hunting), and Sejo 10 times (hunting, military drills).
This event is expected to reaffirm Uijeongbu's solid identity as a true city of kings by recalling this historical significance.
In preparation for this reenactment, the city has conducted thorough academic verification regarding historical accuracy, location, the procession, and costumes.
Based on records from the Annals of King Taejong, the meeting between Taejo and Taejong will be recreated, and the historical significance of the procession route and Jeonjwa Village has been verified through expert consultations and academic conferences.
Reflecting the era before the official costumes and government system were established during King Sejong's reign, the event will feature the nation's first royal procession based on late Goryeo to early Joseon attire. This approach ensures that the festival is not merely a reenactment but a differentiated event for Uijeongbu, grounded in historical fact.
This Taejo and Taejong Uijeongbu Royal Procession will be the first time since the founding of Joseon that a procession with both kings together is reenacted.
It will present a unique piece of content for Uijeongbu, highlighting the dramatic reconciliation that overcame the conflict symbolized by the "Hamhungchasa" episode.
As the first royal procession nationwide to be based on historical verification, it will be clearly distinguished from festivals in other regions.
The two kings will start their processions from different locations, hold a reconciliation ceremony, and then proceed together to Hanyang, vividly conveying the historical facts.
This Taejo and Taejong Uijeongbu Royal Procession will be reenacted with the theme of their dramatic reconciliation in Uijeongbu, overcoming the conflict symbolized by Hamhungchasa.
The event will dramatically depict the conflict from the legend and clearly express the meaning of reconciliation through the scene where the royal seal is presented, officially recognizing Taejong as king.
In particular, the ceremony of offering longevity wishes to Taejo, as recorded in the Annals of King Taejong, will be reenacted to deliver a message of true reconciliation and unity to citizens.
This ceremony will be held in grand fashion on a special stage in front of City Hall at Simingyo Bridge.
This event will feature not only professional actors but also broad participation from citizens.
While the roles of Taejo and Taejong will be played by actors Kim Seungsoo and Jung Igap, major figures such as Queen Wongyeong, Grand Prince Yangnyeong, Taejo's closest aides, and Taejong's key ministers will be selected through a citizen audition. A total of 88 people applied for the audition, and 22 main roles will be finalized through the final selection.
A total of 560 people will participate in the royal procession, with 350 citizens selected through open recruitment. In addition, 150 professional actors and 60 members of a traditional marching band will join, leading a citizen-driven procession. Furthermore, about 400 citizens will join the march at the rear, each representing their neighborhood with flags, accompanying the procession to its destination.
This large-scale, citizen-led royal procession involving about 1,000 participants is the first attempt of its kind nationwide and is expected to serve as a model for "citizen-created historical reenactments."
This event is expected to help Uijeongbu shed its military city image and emerge as a cultural city. It is also anticipated to widely promote Uijeongbu's history to citizens and significantly enhance historical pride.
As a cultural city is completed through citizen unity, this festival is expected to become a turning point for participatory collaboration based on historical identity, writing a new narrative for a changing Uijeongbu.
Furthermore, this reenactment is expected to be the first step toward becoming the cultural capital of the northern region and an important occasion for fostering cultural pride and unity among citizens.
Mayor Kim Donggeun stated, "The Taejo and Taejong Uijeongbu Royal Procession, being recreated after 620 years, is a historic scene that revives our city's identity and pride. I hope this Hoeryong Cultural Festival becomes a cultural event created by all citizens together and serves as an opportunity for Uijeongbu to leap beyond its military city image and become a cultural city."
Meanwhile, the 40th Hoeryong Cultural Festival will be held for two days from September 27 to 28 in the area around Jeonjwa Village (at the intersection in front of Hoeryongsa Temple). The Taejo and Taejong Uijeongbu Royal Procession will take place on September 28, starting from the Uijeongbu Arts Center and the Federation of Artistic & Cultural Organizations of Korea, passing through Uijeongbu Station East Intersection and Howon 2-dong Community Center, and proceeding about 4.5 kilometers to the special stage at Jeonjwa Village.
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