A participant experiencing tactile models at Changgyeonggung Palace (photo provided by the Royal Palaces and Tombs Center, Korea Heritage Service)
SEOUL, Aug. 22 (Korea Bizwire) — The Korea Heritage Service announced Thursday that it will launch an on-site video description program at Taereung, a royal tomb in northeastern Seoul, beginning next month and running through December 5.
The program, organized with the Seoul Tourism Organization, is designed to make cultural heritage more accessible to the visually impaired.
The “video description” service conveys detailed information about objects as though they were being viewed on screen, explaining shapes, distances, and directions while engaging other senses such as touch.
Participants are guided through the site for roughly three hours, with opportunities to explore stone animal statues and other features by hand.
Taereung is the burial site of Queen Munjeong (1501–1565), the third wife of King Jungjong of the Joseon Dynasty.
The initiative builds on previous efforts: since 2023, the heritage agency has offered similar programs at Seoul’s four major palaces—Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, and Changgyeonggung—and later expanded them to include Jongmyo Shrine. In total, 80 sessions were held last year.
Participation requires advance reservation by phone (02-393-4569). Each visually impaired visitor must be accompanied by a family member, friend, or personal assistant, and a specially equipped “Seoul Danurim” minivan will be available for transportation.
Officials said the initiative reflects a broader push to ensure that Korea’s royal heritage is not only preserved but also experienced inclusively.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
