Film 'The King and the Executioner' fuels record visitor surge at Mungyeong Saejae

Mungyeong Saejae has set a new record for visitor numbers, with a 25.3% increase in the first half of the year compared to last year, bringing the total to over 1.85 million visitors by the end of June. This surge in popularity is largely credited to the cultural impact of the film "The King and the Executioner" and the success of the "2026 Mungyeong Teapot Festival."

The historical site, known for its scenic beauty and role in Korean history, has become a major tourist destination. Since the beginning of the year, visitors have flocked to Mungyeong Saejae, specifically seeking out filming locations from "The King and the Executioner." The annual Teapot Festival, held in May, further boosted numbers, attracting 280,000 visitors and contributing to the site's emergence as a national attraction.

In response to the rising visitor numbers, the Mungyeong Saejae Management Office is undertaking significant improvements to the tourist infrastructure. Parking capacity is being tripled, expanding from 8 to 22 spaces. Enhancements include widening sidewalks, constructing a larger bus boarding area, and adding public restrooms and resting spaces.

Future plans include developing a children's water play area and an indoor relaxation space, aiming to enhance the experience for families. "We will continue to improve tourism infrastructure such as parking and convenience facilities and strengthen experiential services to make it a representative luxury tourist destination in Korea," said Moon Sang-woon, head of the Mungyeong Saejae Management Office.

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We will continue to improve tourism infrastructure such as parking and convenience facilities and strengthen experiential services to make it a representative luxury tourist destination in Korea.