Hwaseong Mayor Jung Myunggeun: "Yongjusa Muchahoe an Opportunity to Reflect on Equality and Sharing"

Gukhaeng Muchahoe at Yongjusa Temple concludes three-day program

Royal ancestral rites and Buddhist rituals honor King Jeongjo's filial devotion

Laos cultural and religious figures attend

Seonhwajeon exhibition continues through the 22nd

The 2026 Gukhaeng Muchahoe, held at Yongjusa Temple in Hwaseong Special City, Gyeonggi Province, to honor King Jeongjo's filial devotion and the values of equality and sharing, concluded on the 18th after a three-day program.

Hwaseong Special City Mayor Jeong Myeonggeun takes part in the ceremony wearing traditional ceremonial robes at the 2026 Gukhaeng Muchahoe, held at Yongjusa Temple on the 18th. Provided by Hwaseong City.

At the main ceremony that day, Mayor Jung Myunggeun said, "The Gukhaeng Muchahoe is a precious cultural heritage that embodies King Jeongjo's compassionate spirit. He treated everyone equally regardless of social status or rank and practiced compassion and sharing."

He added, "I hope this event will help promote the historical value of Yongjusa Temple and serve as an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of a warm community in which no one is left out."

The event began on October 16 with the Seonhwajeon ceremony and an academic seminar. On October 17, the "Let's Play with Tofu" program, an experience program at the Joposa, was held, with royal family members, including royal descendant Lee Jun, taking part.

The main ceremony on the 18th was attended by Mayor Jung, National Assembly member Kwon Chil-seung, Hwaseong City Council Chair Lee Gye-cheol, Korea Heritage Service Administrator Heo Min, and royal descendant Lee Jun, among others. Senior officials from Laos's Ministry of Culture, Heritage and Fine Arts and Ministry of Religious Affairs, as well as the abbot of Yongtteu Temple, also attended, adding significance to the cultural exchange.

Yongjusa Temple is the temple responsible for the shrine at the tomb of Crown Prince Sado and served as a Joposa in the late Joseon Dynasty. It is a place where royal ancestral rites and Buddhist culture come together. According to the city, records say that in 1790, King Jeongjo ordered the Gukhaeng Muchahoe to be held, offering food and Buddhist teachings to everyone regardless of social status or rank.

This year, the event was expanded from the traditional Suryuk Daejae to the Gukhaeng Muchahoe by incorporating royal ancestral rites. Attendees reflected on King Jeongjo's filial devotion and compassionate spirit and shared the value of traditional Buddhist rituals and cultural heritage.

Hwaseong Special City Mayor Jeong Myeonggeun delivers congratulatory remarks at the 2026 Gukhaeng Muchahoe held at Yongjusa Temple on the 18th. Provided by Hwaseong City.

Key figures from Laos's cultural and religious communities also joined the event, creating an opportunity to share the traditional cultures of the two countries and deepen mutual understanding.

The Seonhwajeon exhibition held alongside the event will continue at Yongjusa Temple through October 22.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.