Seoakseowon Confucian Academy

This is a Confucian academy (seowon) built to honour General Kim Yu-sin, the central figure in Silla's unification of the Three Kingdoms, together with the Silla scholars Choe Chi-won and Seol Chong. It was founded in 1563 (the eighteenth year of King Myeongjong of Joseon) by the civil official Yi Jeong (1512–1571), who, while serving as magistrate of Gyeongju, shared his aim with local Confucian scholars. First built at the foot of Seondosan Mountain under the name "Seoak Jeongsa," it was destroyed in the Japanese invasions of 1592–1598; the shrine was rebuilt in 1602, and the lecture hall and the east and west dormitories were rebuilt in 1610. In 1623 (the first year of King Injo), it was recognised by the state as a royally chartered academy and given the name "Seoak." It is one of 47 academies that survived Heungseon Daewongun's order abolishing seowon. The grounds contain a shrine holding the spirit tablets; a lecture hall called Joseolheon, used both for teaching and as a meeting place for Confucian scholars; the east and west dormitories, Siseupdang and Jeolchaheon, where students lodged and studied; Jeonsacheong, where ritual food was prepared; and a pavilion called Yeonggwiru. The name board reading "Seoakseowon" was written by the celebrated calligrapher of the day, Won Jin-hae. The academy no longer functions as a place of education, but memorial rites are still held every February and August.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk

Designation

Provincial Monument · 시도기념물