261 years later, Korea's peace mission docks in Osaka

A Korean diplomatic mission has docked at a Japanese seaport for the first time in over 2-hundred-60 years.

The re-enactment comes amid celebrations to mark 60 years of diplomatic relations this year.

Our culture correspondent Song Yoo-jin files this report from the neighboring country.

It's a landmark voyage brought back to life more than two centuries later.

The reconstructed Joseon Tongsinsa ship, once used to carry Korean envoys to Japan from the 17th to 19th centuries, has now reached its final destination: Osaka.

While the recreated vessel also sailed to Japan in recent years, this is the first time it has anchored in Osaka since the 11th Tongsinsa mission from 1763 to 64.

This year's arrival is all the more symbolic, as it coincides with the 60th anniversary of normalized diplomatic ties between South Korea and Japan.

"Korea and Japan can't move away from each other. We're very close geographically and historically.

This ship isn't just a symbolic restoration. Just as it opened a sailing route, I hope it also opens a path for both nations to grow together in the future."

"The Tongsinsa mission has been a symbol of mutual respect and cultural exchange beyond borders.

Recreating that history today will play an important role in helping Korea and Japan learn from their friendly past and build a future-focused relationship."

This journey wouldn't have been possible without this team, who designed, built, and sailed the vessel, modeled after the original Tongsinsa blueprints.

"We began planning this reconstruction back in 2015, and now, nearly a decade later, we've reached Osaka.

We're deeply grateful to everyone who helped make it happen.

Our institute will continue restoring and sailing traditional Korean vessels to preserve this legacy on the water."

But the celebration didn't end at the port.

"As Tuesday, May 13th, marked Korea Day of Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai, the reenacted Joseon Tongsinsa prepared something special here."

The envoy procession marched through the expo grounds, just as the original envoys did when they set foot in Japan.

Drawing large crowds, the parade echoed across the venue, spotlighting the centuries-old message of peacebuilding and cultural diplomacy.

As for the Tongsinsa ship, now docked in Osaka, it will offer an onboard exhibition on the goodwill mission, before its journey back home.

Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News, Osaka.