The Joseon Tongsinsa – a traditional parade that highlights the ongoing peaceful dialogue between the Republic of Korea and Japan – was reenacted in Broadway, New York City during the Korean Parade and Festival on October 2. The parade was organized by the Busan Cultural Foundation and the Korean-American Association of Greater New York.
It marked the first time the parade was held in a country other than Japan. The two-hour parade with about 170 participants from 38th Street to 27th Street offered a unique attraction to New Yorkers and tourists in Manhattan and received a wonderful response from them.
Busan City Mayor, Hur Nam-sik played the role of envoy from Republic of Korea. The Ambassador of the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations, H.E. Mr. Shigeki Sumi, played the role of the leader who greeted the Korean envoys, and 17 Japanese residents of New York City played the role of warriors guarding the Korean envoys.
The sight of these peace envoys in full Korean traditional regalia representing the Joseon Tongsinsa goodwill missions sent from Republic of Korea to Japan between 1392 and 1590, and again between 1607 and 1811, marching in the parade, made for a wonderful sight. One hundred and thirty-six re-enactors of these diplomatic and cultural delegations traveled from Republic of Korea to New York to for the parade. The original missions led to nearly 200 years of peace between Japan and the Republic of Korea.
In addition, Mayor Hur met UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to promote peace, and to promote Busan as a cultural and tourism city, through various promotional activities. An association of Korean residents in New York conveyed an appreciation plaque to Mayor Hur for his contributions in promoting Korean history and culture in the United States and boosting Korean people’s pride in their culture.
