The ‘Uiryeong Big Tug of War’ competition, recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and a World Guinness Book of Records holder, is currently taking place in front of the Uiryeong Cultural Center in Uiryeong-gun, Gyeongnam. Almost 3,000 villagers have gathered to participate in the event, which involves the world’s longest and thickest rope.
Uiryeong, April 21 (Korea Bizwire) —On April 20, the 48th Uiryeong Red Robe General Festival took place for three days in Uiryeong-gun, Gyeongnam. This event holds significant meaning as Uiryeong-gun is known as the ‘Holy Land of the Righteous Army’, which established April 22 as the national day of ‘Uibyung’ or ‘Righteous Army’. The festival was renamed to emphasize the ‘spirit of righteousness’ and highlight its importance.
The festival originated to honor General Gwak Jae-u, also known as the “Red Robe General,” who emerged from the righteous army. General Gwak Jae-u is well-known for being the first to rally the righteous army (Uibyung) during the Imjin War, also known as the Japanese invasion of Korea, which took place from 1592 to 1598. The Uiryeong-gun selected the red color of the Red Robe General as the festival’s symbolic color. One of the highlights of the Uiryeong Red Robe General Festival is the ‘Uiryeong Big Tug of War’ event.
The Uiryeong-gun intends to use this inaugural Uiryeong Red Robe General Festival as a turning point to spread the significance of the Uiryeong ‘Righteous Army,’ making it not only a remembrance of the past but a necessary zeitgeist for the present.
Image Credit: Uiryeong-gun / Yonhap / photonews@koreabizwire.com
