Foreign friends in Korea, have you ever been to Pohang for sightseeing? Pohang is a city on the eastern side of the Korean Peninsula adjacent to the East Sea, and is known as a place where many Koreans often visit for vacation. Most visitors take pictures of the ‘hand sculpture’ in the East Sea of ​​Pohang and post them on social media. I think there are many people who are curious about who exactly owns that hand.

The hand in the Pohang sea shown in the photo is the ‘Homigot Coexistence Hand’. Just hearing the name may make it difficult to understand the meaning of ‘Homigot Coexistence Hand.’ So this time, I would like to introduce to you about the ‘Homigot Coexistence Hand’ located in the East Sea of ​​Pohang. If you have the opportunity in the future to go sightseeing in Pohang, I recommend that you visit 'Homigot Hand of Coexistence'.

Introduction to ‘Homigot Coexistence Hand’

The 'Homigot Coexistence Hand' is a monument located at the Sunrise Square in Homigot, Pohang-si, and contains the meaning of creating a society in which humanity lives together in harmony and reconciliation.

There is a right hand on the sea and a left hand on land, and the two hands symbolize coexistence, the opposite of opposites. The flower bed of the sacred pedestal is an image of the sun, and the two circular rings symbolize unity.

Source: The beginning of sunrise on the Korean Peninsula, Homigot - Maeil Newspaper (imaeil.com)

This sculpture was created by sculptor Professor Seungguk Kim in 1999 with the purpose of celebrating the new millennium and presenting a vision for a hopeful future. The Homigot Coexistence Hand is also a symbol commemorating the Homigot Sunrise Festival, a national event of the Republic of Korea.

name origin

The name “Hands of Coexistence” was not given by sculptor Professor Kim Seung-guk, but by Eo-ryeong Lee, chairman of the New Millennium Preparation Committee of the Republic of Korea. This name is intended to express the hope and vision of humanity as we welcome the new millennium, and the image of two hands holding each other symbolizes creating a society in which humanity lives together in harmony and reconciliation. Additionally, the right hand on the sea and the left hand on land symbolize coexistence, which is the opposite of opposites.

Source: Pohang Travel, Homigot (Hand of Coexistence, Sunrise Square) – Blog Hankyung.com (hangyeong.com)

Chairman Lee Eo-ryeong said the following about this sculpture:

“The hand of coexistence expresses the hope and vision of humanity as we welcome the new millennium. Humanity has lived in conflict and competition with each other until now. As a result, problems such as war and violence, poverty and discrimination, environmental pollution and waste of resources occurred. In order to solve these problems, humanity must cooperate and coexist with each other. The Hand of Coexistence is a sculpture that symbolizes this spirit of coexistence. It shows how opposing elements such as sea and land, south and north, east and west, past and present, and present and future are connected as one. “This is a message that humanity must live as one family.”

production process

Professor Seungguk Kim first published a work that can be considered the original sculpture of the Hand of Sangsaeng in his 1997 graduation collection of photography at Seoul Institute of the Arts. This work depicts two hands holding each other.

In June 1999, while serving as a professor at Yeungnam University, Professor Seungguk Kim was in charge of creating a monument for the Homigot Sunrise Festival. He expanded his graduation work and designed a new sculpture titled Hands of Mutual Prosperity.

The hand of Sangsaeng is made of bronze and consists of two hands, a cauldron, and a circular ring. There is a right hand on the sea and a left hand on land, and the two hands symbolize coexistence, the opposite of opposites. The flower bed of the sacred pedestal is an image of the sun, and the two circular rings symbolize unity.

In December 1999, the Sculpture of the Hands of Sangsaeng was completed at Homigot Sunrise Square. This sculpture expressed the hope and vision of humanity welcoming the new millennium, and also served as a symbol of the Homigot Sunrise Festival.

Source: ‘Hands of coexistence’ in harmony with the snowy landscape - Gyeongbuk Maeil (kbmaeil.com)

The Hand of Coexistence is a representative tourist attraction in Pohang City and is visited by many people. This sculpture contains the meaning of creating a society in which humanity lives together in harmony and reconciliation.

Homigot Sangsaengson is located at the easternmost tip of the Korean Peninsula and is also famous as a place where you can see the first sunrise of the new year every year. Many people come here to celebrate the sunrise, and enjoy various events such as making rice cake soup, fireworks, and cultural performances. In addition to the Hand of Sangsaeng, Homigot Sunrise Square also has the country's largest cauldron, an introduction board to Pohang's 12 scenic views, the Pohang Marine Fossil Museum, and the New Millennium Memorial Hall, so there are many places to see or learn about. The hands of mutual prosperity facing each other on the sea and land are also good for taking pictures along with the beautiful scenery. Also, near Homigot, there are Guryongpo Ocean View Pool Villas and Ocean View Cafes, so you can enjoy the sea while staying or eating.

Homigot Coexistence Hand is a representative tourist attraction in Pohang City and is visited by many people. This sculpture contains the meaning of creating a society in which humanity lives together in harmony and reconciliation. If you go to Homigot to see the hand of coexistence, you will be able to gain new hope and vision.