Chokseok Jeongchungdan Altar Stele, Jinju

This stele stands at Jeongchungdan Altar within Chokseok Square, commemorating the deeds of those who gave their lives in loyal service during the Second Battle of Jinjuseong Fortress in the Japanese invasions of Korea (Imjin War). The stele's tortoise base and body are carved from a single stone, topped with a capstone; the capstone is unusually large, giving the whole stele a trapezoidal silhouette. The capstone is carved with two dragons contending with each other for a wish-fulfilling jewel amid the clouds, and its underside bears an unusual decoration of carved flowers. The inscription is generally well preserved, legible apart from the lower section, where wear makes reading difficult, and it is recorded in the Joseon geumseok chongnam, a comprehensive compendium of Korean stone and metal inscriptions. The text mainly describes those who died fighting at Jinjuseong Fortress and honours their resolve, singling out Kim Cheon-il, Hwang Jin and Choe Gyeong-hoe — known together as the Three Warrior Officials (samjangsa) — as its representative figures. Many other individuals are also recorded, making the stele a valuable aid to understanding the situation during the Imjin War. Jeongchungdan Altar was established in 1686 (the twelfth year of King Sukjong) to console the spirits of the fallen, and the stele was erected at the same time. The inscription was composed by Yi Min-seo and written in calligraphy by Sin Ik-sang, while the title of the stele was written by Kim Man-jung. Standing beside the stele is the Monument to the Military Merits of General Kim Si-min (Gyeongsangnam-do Tangible Cultural Heritage), who led the victory in the First Battle of Jinjuseong Fortress.

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Where it is

Region

Jinju, Gyeongnam

Designation

Provincial Tangible Heritage · 시도유형문화유산