Japanese citizens participating in a ceremony to celebrate the arrival of a replica ship of the past Joseon Tongsinsa diplomatic mission from Korea pose for a photo with a banner welcoming the ship at the Port of Osaka in Japan on May 13, 2025. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, May 13 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea launched its official “Korea Day” celebrations at the 2025 Osaka-Kansai World Expo on Tuesday with a ceremony to celebrate the arrival of a replica ship reenacting the historic Joseon Tongsinsa diplomatic mission.
The Joseon Tongsinsa were official diplomatic envoys sent by the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) to Japan between 1607 and 1811.
They played a crucial role in fostering peace and cultural exchange between the two nations, making 12 journeys following the Japanese invasions of Korea, known as the Imjin War.
For the reenactment event, South Korean authorities constructed a full-scale replica of the original Tongsinsa ship over a four-year period.
The vessel arrived at the Osaka port Sunday, 13 days after departing from the southeastern South Korean port city of Busan on April 28.
Retracing the traditional sea route of the Tongsinsa mission, it crossed the Korea Strait, made stops at historic ports, including Tsushima, Iki and Shimonoseki, before reaching Osaka. It marked the first time in 261 years that the route was fully retraced.
“The Joseon Tongsinsa mission symbolizes the long-standing history of mutual respect for culture and wisdom between the two countries,” Osaka Vice Mayor Toru Takahashi said during the ceremony at the Port of Osaka in Japan.
“The effort to reenact the Tongsinsa mission will play an important role in fostering the long-time friendship between South Korea and Japan and in building a future-oriented relationship,” he added.
Highlighting the geographical proximity of the two Asian neighbors, South Korea’s Culture Minister Yu In-chon expressed hope that the countries would continue to create opportunities for mutual growth and development in their bilateral ties.
About 250 people attended the ceremony, including officials from the city and port authorities of Osaka.
The ceremony, held in partnership with the National Research Institute of Maritime Heritage, also featured cultural performances and a museum on board the ship, allowing visitors to experience the ship’s history and the enduring significance of the mission.
It was followed by a reenacted procession of the Joseon Tongsinsa delegation inside the expo grounds in the afternoon.
Also in the afternoon, the “Korea Collection” event at the Expo Hall was to showcase Korean culture under three themes — live, beauty and fashion. The program was to feature a live performance by K-pop singer K.Will, a makeup demonstration and a fashion show highlighting the traditional Korean outfit of hanbok.
The festivities will continue into the evening with the “M Concert,” co-hosted by CJ ENM, featuring six teams of K-pop acts, including Jung Yong-hwa of CNBLUE, TWS, Viviz, Kep1er and MIA.
Beyond entertainment, the culture ministry will run the “Korea Tourism Festa” at the expo through Friday, with 54 booths promoting Korean travel destinations, airline deals and cultural experiences. The program includes K-pop performances, Korean food demonstrations, e-sport matches and regional tourism quizzes, aiming to attract Japanese and international visitors alike.
(Yonhap)
