South Korean Ambassador Chang Jae-Bok hinted that there could be high-level participation from his country during the inauguration of Ram Temple in Ayodhya, if the Indian government sends invitation.
“Ayodhya is very important for both of us, historically. You will have a very important inauguration of Ram temple in Ayodhya. For now, to have a high-level representation, the Central Government or UP Government should elaborate on the program. However, we will work on that (South Korean high-level participation), if the Government of India issues the invitation for the Ram temple inauguration,” he said.
“To have senior representation from South Korea, the central government should elaborate the programme of Ram temple inauguration. We will work on that if the government of India issues an invitation,” he added “As it would be the New Year month, it will be difficult for the senior representatives or ministers to come if the information is shared just prior to a month. However, we will work on that if India issues an invite to the inauguration.”
This comes five years after former South Korean President Moon Jae-in's wife Kim Jung-sook visited Ayodhya in November 2018. But why is there so much interest in Ayodhya from South Koreans?
The legend explained
Ayodhya is not just the birthplace of Lord Ram, it's also believed to be the home to Indian princess Suriratna who married a South Korean king. Suriratna who went to Korea in 48 AD became Heo Hwang-ok and the matrimonial alliance started the Karak dynasty.
The couple apparently had 10 sons and is said to have over six million descendants, which is about 7 per cent of the population of both the Koreas.
A popular reference to Ayodhya comes from Samguk Yusa or Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms, a collection of folktales and historical accounts relating to the Three Kingdoms of Korea, compiled by Buddhist monk Il-yeon in AD 1281. The book says Hwang-ok was the princess of "Ayuta" kingdom, which is believed to be Ayodhya.
Coming back to former South Korean first lady Kim Jung-sook's visit to the city, she came to Ayodhya to attend a ceremony to begin the development of Queen Hwang-ok's memorial on the west bank of the River Saryu in Ayodhya, as part of a joint project by India and South Korea. India and South Korea inked a deal to develop Ayodhya and Gimhae as sister cities in 2000.