The story of Queen Heo Hwang-Ok, who traveled from India to marry King Suro of South Korea, is a significant part of our shared cultural heritage. However, there are discrepancies in the way her history has been interpreted and presented. Her memorial is built in Ayodhya (previously known as Saketa), but she was actually from the Ayuta Kingdom, which corresponds to modern-day Kanyakumari in Tamilnadu. This misrepresentation obscures the deep-rooted connections between Korean and Tamil cultures evident in linguistic similarities, shared traditions, and food.

The legend of Heo is found in Garakguk-gi (the Record of Garak Kingdom), currently lost but referenced within the Samguk Yusa. The term 'Ayuta Kingdom' is a misinterpretation; The time period matches 'Ay Kingdom', a vassal to the Pandyan Empire of ancient Tamilakam. The two fishes symbol found on Queen Heo’s tomb aligns with that on Pandyan Empire's flag which can be seen at temples built by Pandyans even today. 

This petition aims to correct this historical misinterpretation and ensure that Queen Heo Hwang Ok's true origins are recognized accurately reflecting our rich cultural heritage. By doing so, we can strengthen ties between Korea and India based on their shared history and mutual respect for each other's culture.

Join us as we strive for historical accuracy about Queen Heo Hwang Ok’s origin story - sign this petition today!