Chunggok Confucian Academy Site

This is the site of a Confucian academy (seowon) built to honour Gyebaek, a general of Baekje, and the 'six loyal ministers' (sayuksin)—Park Paeng-nyeon, Seong Sam-mun, Yi Gae, Yu Seong-won, Ha Wi-ji and Yu Eung-bu. Gyebaek was a Baekje general who fought bravely and died in battle at Hwangsanbeol against the combined forces of Silla, led by Kim Yu-sin, and Tang China, led by Su Dingfang. The 'six loyal ministers' were six officials who were executed after their plot to restore King Danjong to the throne, following his deposition by Prince Suyang, was discovered. This academy was founded in 1680, the sixth year of King Sukjong, but was closed in 1868, the fifth year of Emperor Gojong, under the order to abolish Confucian academies issued by Heungseon Daewongun; it was restored in 1933. Eleven further figures—Yi Hyeon-dong, Bak Jeung, Kim Jeong-mang, Kim Ik-gyeom, Kim Hong-ik, Yi Min-jin, Kim Man-jung, Bak Jong, Jo Byeong-si, Kim Ja-bin and Yi Hak-sun—are also enshrined here. The academy grounds comprise a shrine built for the memorial rites of Gyebaek and the six loyal ministers, and the east and west lodgings (dongjae and seojae), which were used as living quarters; a jeongmun (a red gate erected to honour loyal subjects, filial children and the like) also survives. The shrine enshrines the spirit tablets of seventeen worthies, with Gyebaek at the centre and the six loyal ministers and others placed on either side. The east and west lodgings, normally used as quarters for those officiating at the rites, were also used here as a place of education. The academy no longer functions as an educational institution, but memorial rites are still held every March and September.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Nonsan, Chungnam

Designation

Provincial Monument · 시도기념물