Hoeryong Cultural Festival is a festival that proposes the vision of Uijeongbu’s traditional culture under the theme “Creation of a Traditional Culture in One Mind.” A representative traditional cultural festival in Uijeongbu, it has been hosted by Uijeongbu Cultural Center since 1986 and aims to build Uijeongbu’s image as an arts and cultural city, and to harmonize tradition and modernity. Hoeryong originates from Hoeryong Temple in Uijeongbu, and there are various legends related to Yi Seong-gye (King Taejo) in the Joseon period.

Legend has it that when the Buddhist master Muhak founded the temple in 1384 (10th year of the reign of King Woo in the Goryeo period), Yi Seong-gye (later to be called “King Taejo”) came to this temple with Muhak and prayed for the establishment of a new government (Joseon) for three years. Then Taejo prayed in the current Seokgulam and Muhak, in Muhakgul, near the ridge of the mountain. Later, when Lee became the leader of the northeastern army that was to go to war in Yodong, Muhak came to the region, built a small temple, made a statue of Bodhisattva, and prayed for Lee’s success. When Lee became king, he came back for Muhak and named the temple “Hoeryong Temple,” meaning he came back as a king.

Legend also has it that when King Taejo did not want to return to the capital in the 3rd year of King Taejong’s reign (1403), Muhak came to him and persuaded him to return. Later, the king came to Muhak, and Muhak was so pleased to see Hoeran (returning to the palace) and Yongga (the wagon that Taejo used to ride) that he named the temple “Hoeryong.” As such, Uijeongbu’s history is linked with various legends and stories about Yi Seong-gye’s return as a king. It is for this reason that the festival was named “Hoeryong Cultural Festival.”