'Baekje Cultural Heritage Week': Spirit of Ancient Capital in Gongju, Buyeo, Iksan

▲ This photo provided by the Korea Heritage Service (KHS), provided on June 19, 2025, shows the visitors participating in the 2024 "Baekje Cultural Heritage Week." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, June 19 (Yonhap) -- The Korea Heritage Service (KHS) announced on Thursday that it will host the 2025 "Baekje Cultural Heritage Week" from July 8 to 14 across Gongju and Buyeo in South Chungcheong Province and Iksan in North Jeolla Province.

In this event, visitors can enjoy the cultural heritage and history of the ancient Baekje Kingdom in these historic0 cities that still carry the breath of this ancient civilization.

Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the inscription of the “Baekje Historic Areas” on the UNESCO World Heritage List, this year’s theme is “The World Embraced by Baekje, Baekje Embraced by the World”, and the program will feature performances, exhibitions, and hands-on experiences.

There will also be academic events reflecting on the significance of the World Heritage designation and discussing future directions. Gongju City will host a forum on July 8 at Kongju National University, and the Korea Heritage Service will hold another on July 11 at Hotel ICC in Daejeon.

The “Nocturne” evening concerts—offering guided tours of major royal sites and relics followed by musical performances—will take place on July 10 in Gongju, July 11 in Iksan, and July 12 in Buyeo.

Special curator-led programs at the Gongju National Museum and Buyeo National Museum will explain key artifacts and elements of Baekje culture to visitors.

Other highlights include walking tours of the Baekje Historic Areas, historical experiences at Gongsanseong Fortress, and a photo exhibition featuring Japan’s Asuka-era heritage—showcasing the cultural exchange between Baekje and ancient Japan.

▲ This promotional poster of the 2025 "Baekje Cultural Heritage Week" is provided by the Korea Heritage Service (KHS). (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Baekje was a kingdom that flourished for nearly 700 years, from 18 BCE to 660 CE, mainly in the southwestern region of the Korean Peninsula.

The “Baekje Historic Areas,” which include eight heritage sites such as Gongsanseong Fortress in Gongju, the Gwanbuk-ri Ruins and Busosanseong Fortress in Buyeo, and Mireuksaji Temple Site in Iksan, were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2015.

These sites are highly valued as they highlight Baekje’s active exchanges with neighboring states and its role as a cultural hub in ancient East Asia, connecting China and Japan.

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