[Kim Woo-young's Gwanggyo Column] Suwon Hwaseong Haenggung Restoration Project Finally Completed

All Facilities Damaged by Japan Fully Restored 119 Years Later

I remember the scene from October 9, 2003, when music and martial arts performances gradually filled the air and the main gate of Sinpungnu, the main entrance of Hwaseong Haenggung, slowly opened.

An actor playing King Jeongjo spoke with a broad smile.

“Welcome! My descendants. I greet you warmly...”

That day, the opening ceremony of Hwaseong Haenggung was held. More than 2,000 citizens gathered at Hwaseong Haenggung. Those who could not enter Bongsudang, where the event was held, watched the historic moment through a large screen installed in front of Sinpungnu Gate.

The MC was Professor Kim Jun-hyuk, who attracted much attention in this election and was elected to the National Assembly. He explained the significance of the restoration, saying “Hwaseong Haenggung is a space of hope for all people and a place like a new hometown.”

I was delighted. Something everyone had thought impossible had been realized.

Yet at the same time, my heart felt heavy.

The person who made this possible was not visible. Former Mayor Shim Jae-deok, who accomplished this historic undertaking, was not present. Instead, Mayor Kim Yong-seo, who defeated Mayor Shim Jae-deok in the Third Nationwide Simultaneous Local Elections held on June 13, 2002, welcomed guests as the honored guest at the celebration. Of course, I too stood at a distance, feeling both moved and bitter.

Among the key figures who should have been seated at the front of this occasion, some were absent. Former Mayor Shim Jae-deok, the late Mr. Lee Seung-eon, who passed away without seeing this moment, and many members of the Hwaseong Haenggung Restoration Promotion Committee who were not invited for various reasons...

I too served as a committee member at that time, holding the position of Public Relations Director.

In October 1989, 42 people from various sectors—including the late Shim Jae-deok, then director of the Suwon Cultural Center, the late Lee Jong-hak, the late Kim Dong-hui, the late Lee Seung-eon, and Elder Lee Hong-gu, as well as representatives from cultural and artistic circles, academia, local community organizations, and the press—formed the ‘Suwon Hwaseong Haenggung Restoration Promotion Committee.’ As mentioned, I participated as a founding member and then as a promotion committee member, taking on the important role of publicity director.

The promotion committee met with then Gyeonggi Province Governor Im Sa-bin to relocate the Suwon Medical Center, which was planned to be newly constructed on the Hwaseong Haenggung site. Then Suwon Cultural Center Director Shim Jae-deok and committee members Kim Dong-hui, Ahn Ik-seung, and Lee Hong-gu explained the rationale for restoring Hwaseong Haenggung to Governor Im and proposed the relocation and new construction of Suwon Medical Center. Because Governor Im readily accepted this proposal, Hwaseong Haenggung was able to emerge from the shadows of history back to the forefront. Suwon's history must never forget Governor Im Sa-bin.

It seemed to be heaven's blessing that Shim Jae-deok, the key figure in the restoration promotion project, ran as an independent in the 1995 nationwide simultaneous local elections and, breaking through the strong winds of political parties, was elected as the first popularly elected Mayor of Suwon. Naturally, the restoration project proceeded smoothly. The first phase of Hwaseong Haenggung restoration began in 1995 and was completed in 2003, with the opening ceremony held on October 9 of that year.

However, in the first phase of restoration, only 482 out of a total of 576 structures were restored.

The second phase of the restoration project began in 2021. It involved restoring facilities that could not be restored in the first phase, including Uwhagwan (于華館), which had been located at the site of the former Shinpung Elementary School, and Byeoljoo (別廚), which had been at the haenggung parking lot.

Hwaseong Haenggung was the largest haenggung of the Joseon dynasty and was used each time King Jeongjo visited Suwon. It was also a space created for him to come to Suwon after retirement to spend his later years. It was a historic site where the 60th birthday celebration of King Jeongjo's mother, Hyegyeong Palace Lady, one of the grandest court events of the Joseon dynasty, was held. It was also a place where rice was distributed to poor people and porridge was cooked for them, and where elderly people from the Suwon area were invited to a banquet for the aged.

However, most buildings were demolished during the Japanese colonial period.

Now the second phase of the restoration project is complete.

A few days ago, I received a call notifying me of the opening ceremony. They asked for my address so they could send an invitation. They also asked for contact information for several people who had been committee members at that time. I felt pleased.

On April 24 at 2:30 p.m., the ‘Opening Ceremony for the Restoration of Suwon Hwaseong Haenggung Uwhagwan and Byeoljoo, Returning to Complete Form After the Completion of the Second Phase Restoration Project,’ will finally be held.

‘Uwhagwan, where rituals were conducted monthly with the royal tablet symbolizing the king, and Byeoljoo, where food for King Jeongjo's mother Hyegyeong Palace Lady's 60th birthday celebration in 1795 was prepared, have recovered their original appearance at the time of their construction. Hwaseong Haenggung, which was damaged and disappeared during the Japanese colonial period, has been completely restored 119 years later, and we respectfully invite you to grace this historic occasion with your presence.’

Such was the content of the invitation that was sent.

Thirty-five years have passed from 1989 to this year, 2024. It has been a long journey. During that time, former Suwon Mayor Shim Jae-deok, former Gyeonggi Province Governor Im Sa-bin, and many others have passed away. I too have aged and my hair has turned completely white.

Many Suwon citizens have waited for the complete restoration of Hwaseong Haenggung. My heart, which has a special connection to Hwaseong Haenggung, is now beating fiercely.