Anti-Western Stele, Okcheon

The Anti-Western Stele is a monument that Heungseon Daewongun, who led Joseon to victory over Western incursions in the French invasion of 1866 (Byeongin yangyo) and the American invasion of 1871 (Sinmi yangyo), ordered to be erected in Seoul and at major transport hubs across the country, to warn the entire population to reject Western powers. This stele was originally buried in the ground and was later moved to the foot of a hill, where it now stands. It is a long, rectangular stone, with each face considerably damaged. On the front is inscribed the words, 'When the Western barbarians invade, not to fight is to make peace with them, and to advocate peace is to sell the nation,' recording Daewongun's firm resolve to keep the country closed. The stele was erected in 1871, the eighth year of King Gojong. After the Imo Incident broke out in 1882 and Daewongun was abducted to Qing China, most such steles were removed at the demand of the Japanese minister, and today only a few remain scattered here and there.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Okcheon, Chungbuk

Designation

Provincial Monument · 시도기념물