Mapo-gu District Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun attended the 2026 Gongminwang Shrine Rite held Monday morning at Gongminwang Shrine (15 Dongmak-ro 21-gil), performing the first ritual offering as chief officiant and praying for the peace and prosperity of Mapo-gu.
Organized by the Mapo Cultural Center and hosted by the Wau Gongminwang Shrine Preservation Society, the event drew about 100 residents and officials who gathered to reflect on the district's traditional culture.
Gongminwang Shrine dates to the era when Seogang Ferry was a thriving river crossing, where residents once prayed for safe passage along the waterway. The annual rite, held on the first day of the 10th lunar month, carries the wishes of ancestors who sought peace for their community — a tradition that local residents have kept alive.
Yoo donned ceremonial robes and joined the procession of ritual officiants. He then lit incense at the shrine and performed the first offering rite with careful reverence. After the ceremony, he joined attendees for the ritual sharing of food and drink, taking time to mingle with those present.
"Preserving our traditional heritage goes beyond simply maintaining old customs — it is a meaningful act of passing on the history and identity of our community to the next generation," Yoo said. "I hope today's event will deepen interest in Mapo-gu's local culture and give residents a greater sense of pride in where they live."
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