Gadeokdo Painting Anti-Western Stele

Cheokhwabi, or anti-Western steles, were erected throughout the country during the reign of Emperor Gojong of Joseon, on the orders of Heungseon Daewongun — who had led Korea to victory in the French Campaign (Byeongin-yangyo) and the United States expedition (Sinmi-yangyo) — in order to heighten popular vigilance against Western powers. This particular stele was discovered during construction work and was initially erected on land owned by the Seonchang village association, before being moved to the grounds of Cheonga Elementary School in 1995. It is a simple form, with the stele body set upright on a square base stone. The inscription carries a warning: 'When Western barbarians invade, not to fight is to seek peace with them, and to seek peace is to sell the nation.' The steles were erected in 1871, the eighth year of Emperor Gojong's reign; after the Imo Incident of 1882, when the Daewongun was abducted to Qing China, most were removed at the demand of the Japanese legation, and today only a few such steles survive here and there.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Gangseo-gu, Busan

Designation

Provincial Monument · 시도기념물