Statue of ‘Haechi’, a Korean symbol of Justice to be unveiled in Peace Palace

A “Haechi”, instead of its roar against evil, showed its smile at the unveiling ceremony at the Peace Palace in The Hague, on  December  19^th , 2014. It is a result of a first donation of artwork from the Korean government to the Peace Palace.  

The “Haechi” is a mythical animal with righteous temperament distinguishing good and evil, punishing the wrongdoers, and guarding important monuments from any danger. Embroidered in the chest of the official costume of Daesaheon, the Inspector General in Joseon Dynasty of Korea, it is considered as a highly moral creature and a symbol of justice and law enforcement.

The statue was realized by Sculptor Choi, Jinho who infused a gentle smile to granite stone mined from Korea. Sitting from now on in the main hall of the Peace Palace, this “Smiling Haechi’ will support the International Court of Justice, Permanent Court of Arbitration, and any efforts of mankind seeking justice.

H.E. Peter Tomka, President of the ICJ, H.E. Sang-hyun Song, President of the ICC, Dr. Bernard Bot, President of the Carnegie Foundation, H.E. Geert Jan Hamilton, Secretary General of the Dutch Senate, Tae-yul Cho, Vice Minister of the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Congressman Byung-suk Lee, former vice speaker of Korean National Assembly who initiated this project, Ambassador Jong-hyun Choe along with 50 guests attended the unveiling ceremony which was followed by a reception. 

After the unveiling ceremony, from the far left to far right: H.E. Mr. Jonghyun Choe, Ambassador of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mr. Tae-yul Cho, Vice Minister of the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Bernard Bot, President of the Carnegie Foundation, Mr. Byung-suk Lee Congressman and former vice speaker of the Korean National Assembly, and H.E. Mr. Peter Tomka, President of the ICJ.

Two hosts of the unveiling of the Haechi statue: Dr. Bernard Bot, President of the Carnegie Foundation and H.E. Mr. Jonghyun Choe, Ambassador of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea.