Thousands explore South Korean palaces during central Seoul walking event

Participants of "Palace Walk Seoul 2026" enter the Gyeongbokgung Palace in central Seoul on May 31. AJP Yoo Na-hyun

SEOUL, May 31 (AJP) - More than 2,000 people walked through the historic royal palaces of central Seoul on Sunday to experience South Korean traditional culture. The event aimed to showcase the harmony between the capital city's modern landscape and its historical sites.
 

Participants of "Palace Walk Seoul 2026" head to the Gyeongbokgung Palace in central Seoul on May 31. AJP Yoo Na-hyun

The 2026 Seoul Foreigner Palace Walking Contest, hosted by Aju News Corporation, brought together about 1,200 foreign nationals and 800 local citizens. The seven-kilometer circular route started at Gwanghwamun Plaza and guided participants through Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung and Changgyeonggung palaces before passing Jogyesa temple.
 

Participants of "Palace Walk Seoul 2026" pose for a photograph at the Gyeongbokgung Palace in central Seoul on May 31. AJP Yoo Na-hyun

Organizers expanded the event this year to include K-culture photo zones and cultural performances. Participants tried on traditional royal garments and interacted with setups replicating a royal clinic and historical palace guards.
 

Aju News Corporation President Lim Kwu-jin welcomes participants of "Palace Walk Seoul 2026" during an opening ceremony in central Seoul on May 31. AJP Yoo Na-hyun

Lim Kwu-jin, president of Aju News Corporation, said the event serves as a meaningful time for people from various countries to naturally mingle with the history and culture of Seoul. "The palaces are Seoul's most precious cultural heritage and symbolic spaces that show the history and dignity of South Korea," Lim said.

The event drew attendees from countries including China, Japan, the United States, France, India, Vietnam and Mexico. Several foreign diplomats participated in the trek and noted the visual impact of the preserved architecture.
 

Jacques Flies, the Ambassador of Luxembourg to South Korea, welcomes participants of "Palace Walk Seoul 2026" during an opening ceremony in central Seoul on May 31. AJP Yoo Na-hyun

Jacques Flies, the Ambassador of Luxembourg to South Korea, said the curated walk gave him a deeper connection to the country's history. "I especially liked seeing the old palaces surrounded by the modern city," Flies said. "It creates a very nice bridge between the past and the present, and actually between the history of South Korea and the current state and future of South Korea."
 

Wray Mulendema Hamweene, minister counsellor at the Embassy of Zambia to South Korea, welcomes participants of "Palace Walk Seoul 2026" during an opening ceremony in central Seoul on May 31. AJP Yoo Na-hyun

Wray Mulendema Hamweene, minister counsellor at the Embassy of Zambia in South Korea, highlighted the structural longevity of the traditional buildings. "Today, I had the opportunity to appreciate South Korea's rich culture," Hamweene said. "The many people wearing hanbok in the palace were very impressive."

"Where else in the world can you find palaces like these? They are truly unique," Hamweene said. "Although these palaces were built hundreds of years ago, they look as if they were built only yesterday. The architectural technology of the past is truly astonishing."