King Sejong the Great and the Chojung Mineral Water Festival

By commemorating the historical fact that King Sejong stayed at the Chojung Royal Retreat for 120 days, where he treated his thirst and eye disease with Chojung mineral water and achieved great feats such as governing the nation and creating the Hangul alphabet, we aim to reexamine the significance of King Sejong and Chojung mineral water, and and to widely publicize the historical and scientific excellence of Chojung Mineral Water, one of the world’s three rarest mineral springs. Through this, we aim to spread awareness of Cheongju’s pristine natural environment and health resources both domestically and internationally, thereby laying the groundwork for the festival to evolve into a world-class cultural tourism festival that transcends national borders. Building on the achievements of the festival over the past 20 years, we aim to establish it as Cheongju’s signature brand festival.

1. Official Events - Royal Procession: A reenactment of King Sejong’s procession to Chojung - Opening Ceremony: An event marking the start of the festival - Yeongcheonje: A traditional ritual to pray for the miraculous properties of Chojung Mineral Water and for the region’s peace and prosperity - Banquet for the Elderly: A feast King Sejong hosted for the elderly as a gesture of respect - Opening Ceremony: Opening performance and special performances 2. Performance Area - Performance Village (relay performances by local arts groups) - Citizen cultural and arts performances - National Intangible Cultural Heritage tightrope walking performance 3. Hands-On Experience Area - Traditional craft workshops, hands-on craft activities, and foot bath experiences 4. Participation Zone - Participatory events such as the National Youth Essay Contest and a treasure hunt 5. Exhibition Zone - Booklets and digital exhibits on the Hunminjeongeum, media art featuring the Chojeong Royal Residence, and more