About 1,200 representatives from across society and citizens to attend Saturday's event at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Jongno-gu, Seoul

The 4,357th Gaecheonjeol National Foundation Day ceremony [MBC]
The 4,357th Gaecheonjeol National Foundation Day ceremony [MBC]

The Ministry of Interior and Safety announced Friday that it will hold the 4,358th Gaecheonjeol National Foundation Day ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday at the main hall of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

About 1,200 people are expected to attend, including representatives of organizations related to Gaecheonjeol and the legendary founder Dangun, leaders from various sectors of society, members of the diplomatic corps accredited to South Korea, and citizens and students.

Held under the theme "Broadly Beneficial, Irreplaceable Republic of Korea," the ceremony will open with a formal declaration and proceed through a pledge of allegiance, an introduction of the national founding era, a thematic video screening, a congratulatory address, a celebratory performance, a communal singing of the Gaecheonjeol song, and a three-round cheer of "manse."

During the pledge of allegiance, Park Gyeong-su, a fire lieutenant who rescued people buried during this year's heavy rains in Geoje and Tongyeong, will recite the pledge to the national flag. Baritone Ahn Gap-seong and a multigenerational choir will then lead the singing of the national anthem, with the top prize-winning entry from the "National Anthem Public Contest" shown as a backdrop video.

Particularly this year, the introduction of the national founding era — traditionally presented by the chairman of the National Institute of Korean History — will be reimagined as a shared presentation involving the public.

A story video assembled from contributions by citizens of diverse backgrounds will convey the significance of the founding era, after which the chairman of the National Institute of Korean History will take the stage to reflect on the meaning of Gaecheonjeol.

The thematic video that follows will examine, in a human-documentary format, how the founding philosophy of "hongik ingan" — broadly benefiting all people — lives on in the everyday lives of citizens doing their best in their own roles.

The celebratory performances will unfold across two stages. The first, themed "Opening the Sky and Breaking Down Walls," will be a joint performance blending talchum — a mask dance recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity — with contemporary dance and pungmul percussion, expressing the harmony of tradition and modernity.

In the second performance, musical actors Shin Eun-chong and Na Ye of the group Gavy NJ will join a multigenerational choir to sing "Open Your Eyes," a beloved South Korean animated series theme song, delivering a message of hope.

The three-round manse cheer will be led by nurse Jeong Eun-a, who saved a citizen's life by administering emergency care after the person suffered cardiac arrest at a swimming pool; Shin Jeong-wu, a chief executive who has contributed to addressing soil contamination and environmental problems by developing eco-friendly fertilizer; and Lee Geon-bong, chairman of Hyeonjeong-hoe.

Local governments and overseas diplomatic missions will also hold their own Gaecheonjeol ceremonies, traditional rites and cultural performances, with a total of about 29,000 people expected to participate, creating a nationwide celebratory atmosphere.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior and Safety, together with central and local governments and related agencies, will conduct a "Love Your Country — Fly the Taegukgi" campaign throughout October, which includes Armed Forces Day, Gaecheonjeol and Hangul Day, to promote proper flag-flying practices and raise awareness of the importance of displaying the national flag.

Attendees at the ceremony will receive a keycap keyring featuring national symbols such as the Taegukgi and the hibiscus flower as a commemorative gift, encouraging them to incorporate national symbols into their daily lives.


thlee@heraldcorp.com