Reenactment of the Gyeongsang Left Naval Commander’s Procession

Gwangalli Eobang Festival – Hanji Lantern Exhibition
Theme: Traditional Naval Parade of the Joseon Dynasty
Medium: Hanji (Traditional Korean Paper) Lanterns

Historical Background

As part of the Gwangalli Eobang Festival, this exhibit recreates the Gyeongsang Left Naval Commander’s Procession using Hanji lanterns.

In the Joseon Dynasty, naval commanders known as Sujun Jeoldosa (수군절도사) were responsible for maritime defense across the Korean Peninsula. Among them, the Gyeongsang Left Naval Commander was one of the most important, stationed along Korea’s southeastern coast to defend key naval zones.

Historically, three main regions—Gyeongsang-do, Jeolla-do, and Hamgyeong-do—each had dedicated naval commanders due to their coastal vulnerability. However, in other regions like Gyeonggi, Chungcheong, and Pyeongan provinces, the Sujun Jeoldosa role was often combined with the army general (Byeongma Jeoldosa). As a result, most active naval commands were concentrated in the southern provinces.

During the Imjin War (1592), the lack of centralized naval coordination was exposed, leading to the formation of the Three-Province Naval Command System (Samdo Sugun Tongje). Its headquarters, Tongjeyeong, was established in present-day Tongyeong.

About the Exhibition

This exhibition features a symbolic naval formation centered around the Gyeongsang Left Naval Commander, a 3rd-rank military official in the Joseon hierarchy. Through traditional lantern-based representations of a military parade, the installation:

Brings to life the organizational structure of the Joseon navy
Celebrates the cultural and strategic importance of Gyeongsang Left Naval Command (경상좌수영)
Honors the history of maritime defense across Korea’s southeast coast

Exhibition Intent

Presented during the Gwangalli Eobang Festival, this traditional lantern reenactment is designed to:

Illuminate the legacy of Korea’s maritime heritage
Revive community memory through cultural storytelling
Offer a space for reflection and comfort, especially during the ongoing recovery from COVID-19

We hope this light-filled tribute to Korea’s naval past becomes a beacon of remembrance and healing for all who visit.

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