Yeonggwang Naesanseowon Confucian Academy

This is a seowon, a Confucian academy, built to honour Kang Hang (1567–1618), a civil official of the mid-Joseon period. While serving as a junior official in the Ministry of Works and then the Ministry of Justice, Kang Hang raised a righteous army when the Jeongyu War broke out, but was captured by Japanese forces and taken to Japan. While there, he gathered information on Japan's history and geography and sent it back to his homeland, and also transmitted Neo-Confucianism to Japan. After returning home in the 33rd year of King Seonjo (1600), he declined official posts and devoted himself entirely to reading and to training the next generation of scholars. In the 13th year of King Injo (1635), the state bestowed on this academy the name 'Yonggyesa,' and it was rebuilt in the 28th year of King Sukjong (1702). It was also repaired during the Japanese colonial period, and has undergone further repairs since, down to the present. The academy follows the layout of educational quarters at the front and a shrine at the rear. The lecture hall, the educational space, has a wooden-floored hall at its centre flanked by ondol (heated) rooms on either side. Passing through the inner three-bay gate at the rear leads to a small shrine housing Kang Hang's spirit tablet. On the hillside to the left is Kang Hang's grave.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Yeonggwang, Jeonnam & Gwangju

Designation

Provincial Monument · 시도기념물