The ancestral tablets of the Joseon kings return to the Jongmyo Shrine’s main hall after 4 years of restoration.

National Heritage Administration to host Return Ritual on April 20 after 155 years
Procession from Changdeokgung Palace to Gwanghwamun, Sejong-daero, Jonggak Station, and Jongmyo
Ceremonies including ‘Goyu-je’ and completion commemoration,

[Seoul=Newsis] Front view of Jongmyo Jeongjeon after restoration work (photo provided by National Heritage Administration) 2025.03.31. * resale and DB prohibited,
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, “[Seoul=Newsis] Reporter Suji Lee = The ancestral tablets of the Joseon kings temporarily enshrined at the old Seonwonjeon of Changdeokgung Palace will return to ‘Jongmyo Jeongjeon’ on April 20, four years later. “,
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‘The National Heritage Administration announced on the 31st that it would hold a Hwananje, a ritual to return 49 ancestral tablets of Joseon kings and queens, and the emperors and empresses of the Korean Empire, to Jongmyo Jeongjeon. ‘,
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, ‘In 2014, a special comprehensive inspection revealed structural issues such as wood damage, rafters’ breakage, and beam deflection in Jongmyo Jeongjeon, leading to a decision to repair it. The restoration took place in 2020. Jongmyo Jeongjeon, designated as a National Treasure in 1985, is the central building of Jongmyo, holding ancestral tablets of kings, emperors, queens, and empresses in its 19 rooms. However, due to the restoration, the tablets had to be temporarily moved to the old Seonwonjeon of Changdeokgung Palace. ‘,
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[Seoul=Newsis] Hwananje site (photo provided by National Heritage Administration) 2025.03.31. * resale and DB prohibited,
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, ‘With the four-year restoration of Jongmyo Jeongjeon complete, the National Heritage Administration will host a Hwananje and a completion ceremony on April 20, bringing back 49 ancestral tablets to Jongmyo Jeongjeon. ‘,
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, “The Hwananje is a ritual taking place for the first time in 155 years since it was last performed in the 7th year of King Gojong, 1870. The National Heritage Administration plans to recreate the event based on the uigwe (traditional ritual book) from the era of King Heonjong’s reign titled ‘Jongmyo Youngnyeongjeonjeungsudogam’. “,
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, ‘The Hwananje will begin with a Godyongga-je, a ceremony performed after a three-year mourning period when the royal ancestral tablets depart for Taemyo, at the old Seonwonjeon of Changdeokgung Palace. The procession will then move from Changdeokgung Palace to Gwanghwamun, Sejong-daero intersection, Jonggak Station, and finally to Jongmyo. ‘,
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, ‘The tablets will be transported with a citizen procession of over 200 participants, including both locals and foreigners. Various performances like tightrope walking and mask dances are planned on the lawn next to Gwanghwamun Wolde. ‘,
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, “Upon arriving at Jongmyo, a ‘Goyu-je’, a ceremony to announce the safe return of the tablets, and a completion ceremony will be held. “,
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[Seoul=Newsis] Hwananje site (photo provided by National Heritage Administration) 2025.03.31. * resale and DB prohibited,
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, “Both the citizen procession and the completion ceremony are open for public participation. Participants will be selected via a lottery, and applications can be made through the ‘Cultural Events’ section on the Royal Palaces and Tombs Headquarters website until midnight on April 6. “,
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