Source: Riot Games

Riot Games (Korea Representative Cho Hyuk-jin) is supporting the conservation of Korean ceremonial flags that were exhibited at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

The project focuses on five ceremonial flags, including the 'Tiger Flag' (Hogi), currently held by the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (Penn Museum). These artifacts are part of a collection of 27 cultural heritage items that were displayed at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, the first official international exposition in which the Joseon Dynasty participated.

The ceremonial flags, which were used in royal processions and military ceremonies during the Joseon Dynasty, remained in the United States after the expo and are now part of the Penn Museum's collection. Riot Games is sponsoring this conservation effort to ensure that these cultural assets, which have been abroad for so long, are preserved more securely and that their historical significance is widely recognized both domestically and internationally.

Once the conservation process is complete, the flags are scheduled to be unveiled in Korea for the first time at a special exhibition titled 'World Expo' (tentative title), to be held at the National Palace Museum of Korea this December.

Since 2012, Riot Games has been actively involved in protecting and supporting Korean cultural heritage in partnership with the Korea Heritage Service. Through this collaboration, the company has supported various projects, including the repatriation of overseas cultural heritage and domestic conservation efforts, with its cumulative donations surpassing ₩10 billion last year—a first for a domestic company.

Throughout this period, Riot Games has consistently supported both the repatriation of overseas artifacts and the protection of domestic cultural heritage. The company has participated in seven repatriation projects and, in 2022, supported the conservation of 15 'Nobu' (royal ceremonial regalia) artifacts from the Joseon Dynasty. In 2024, it also sponsored the reproduction of three Joseon royal paintings and calligraphic works held by the National Palace Museum of Korea.

"We hope this support serves as an opportunity to safeguard the value of our cultural heritage that has remained abroad and to share its significance with more people today," said Cho Hyuk-jin, Representative of Riot Games Korea. "Riot Games will continue to provide meaningful support that bridges the past and the present, and connects cultural heritage with our players."