A Summary Proposal For
Korea Founding Day
“Heaven’s Opening Day”
Korean People of the World Celebration
October 3rd, 2004
Jeju Island, Korea
Hosted by
Institute for Korean Traditional Cultural Studies
World Earth Human Alliance
International Graduate University for Peace
Proposal Summary
The original Korean kingdom, Ancient Joseon, was founded by Dangun 4337 years
ago. The traditional date marking the founding of Korea is October 3 rd,
designated as such by both North and South Korea. The founding day of Korea’s
original kingdom is termed, “Gae Chun Jul,” which, when directly translated,
means “Heaven’s Opening Day.”
The founding philosophy of Ancient Joseon was “HongIk Ingan” and “JaeSae
Ewah” teachings of the Dangun. Directly translated, these terms mean “Widely
Benefit All Humanity, Rightfully Harmonize All World.” Despite the myriad
religions and political ideologies that have infiltrated the Koreas throughout the
ages, it is the enlightened ‘peace’ philosophy of Dangun that has defined what
being a Korean is. Korean children still learn these concepts in elementary
schools as the founding philosophy of Korea. Although ethnic Koreans living
outside of Korean Peninsula now officially number in the low 6 million throughout
the world, mostly in the USA, Russia, and China, they are united by the highest
common identification as the Children of Dangun and the subscribers to his
“HongIk Ingan” and “JaeSae Ewah” teachings.
During this year’s celebration, we seek to bring together representatives of all the
ethnic Koreans living throughout the world to highlight this symbolic unity and
harness the power that a common celebration of their universal cultural heritage
and explore the realistic role that a tradition of a diverse, but essentially common
spiritual root of people can have in not only overcoming the 50 years of fratricidal
bitterness between the Korea’s. We also seek to provide a prelude to ameliorating
the various conflicts currently existing in the world and determine whether such a
participatory celebration of common cultural traditions can be effectively utilized
to engage a socially viable peace movement that includes a majority of the people
on Earth, leading to a political settlement that reflects the will of the people.
Format
We intend to play host to 3,600 Koreans and more than 400 ethnic Koreans from
various countries throughout the world. Nationally renowned politicians, artists,
celebrities, and academics will participate in the ceremony that will be held at the
Jeju Island Convention Center. This would be officially the largest and most
traditional Korea’s Founding Day – “Korea’s Birthday” celebration of its kind. Dr.
Ilchi Lee and his organizations have been organizing and hosting official Korea’s
Founding Day celebration for over 10 years.
We envision a multi day format for the event. We propose that the first day of the
event consist of activities designed to invite audience participation.
The
highlight of the first part will be an outdoor musical concert with well-known
Korean singers and group performing in front of more than 8,000 people in the
largest outdoor stadium in Jeju Island.
The 2nd day of the event will consist of an official celebration in which President
Oscar Arias Sanchez, the 1987 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and former president of
Costa Rica, will be the keynote speaker, drawing upon his own extensive wisdom
of peace to address the need to create a nationwide momentum to keep the spirit
of negotiation and compromise necessary to effect a peaceful unification between
the Koreas, clearing the proverbial air of the cynical posturing in order to bring
about a peaceful reunification and reminding us that the common spiritual and
cultural heritage that we share as people of the Earth will manifest as world peace.
Implementation of the Conference
Will be co-organized and co-sponsored primarily by the Institute for Korean
Traditional Cultural Studies, World Earth-Human Alliance, and the International
University for Peace of Korea. Official sponsors include among others. Work
will be necessarily divided between Korean and American staff, who will be
responsible for all the organizational, funding, and administrative efforts needed
to carry out such a large project and will work closely with the potential invitees to
effect their participation to create an internationally and socially meaningful event.
Introduction of the host organization, Kookhakwon
Kookhakwon is the research and education center established by the voluntary
initiative of the Korean civilian. Kookhakwon is committed to the revitalization of
Korean studies and the revival of Korean traditional Sun-tao culture to give back
dreams and hope to the Korean people and Earth human. We seek to find our
long-time wish for peaceful unification and for the human co-prosperity in the
spiritual culture of Sun-tao and Hong-Ik philosophy. This philosophy of
harmony that will ‘save individuals, countries, and humanity’ is the Korean
spiritual heritage for healing the earth from crisis in the 21st century.
Kookhakwon invite the university student of Korean residents abroad to the Korea
Founding Day Celebration, for the purpose of the formation of the National identity and
inspiration of the self-admiration as Korean people. Please check the schedule. .
1. Introduction of Gae-Chun culture experience
ㅇ a period of time: 2004.10.2(Sat)∼10.4(Mon) <3days and 2 nights〉
ㅇ place : Jeju, chun-an, Seoul
ㅇ the number of persons : 24persons (Korean residents abroad 2~ 3generation)
※ Apply for participation is made by recommendation of each university.
and we send information individually.
※ Fully Support of the program & board and lodging (an entry fee is free)
2. Schedule of Gae-Chun culture experience
October 2nd (Sat)
10:00 ~ 12:00
12:00 ~ 15:00
15:00 ~ 17:00
17:00 ~ 19:00
19:00 ~ 22:00
October 3rd (Sun)
11:00 ~ 13:00
13:00 ~ 15:00
19:00 ~ 22:00
October 4th (Mon)
14:00 ~ 16:00
19:00 ~ 21:00
Arrival in Jeju from Kimpo airport
Hotel Check-in and take a rest
Peace parade of GaeChun
Welcoming dinner
Viewing the GaeChun Peace Concert
Luncheon, invited by Jeju provincial governor
GaeChun official festival & Opening ceremony of the “ World
Korean People Alliance”
Free discussion on“ Set right the history of the Korean”
Visit Kookhakwon & sightseeing the gallery of Kookhakwon
“ lover of the heaven, UngYeo” musical (National theater)
 If you have any question, please contact the following number.
Organizing Committee : Kim Mee Hyung
Tel) 02-2016-3041 Fax) 02-2016-3169 Mobile) 011-789-7720