Haehagigi Birthplace

Haehak Yi Gi, together with Hwang Hyeon and Yi Jeong-jik, was known as one of the Three Outstanding Scholars of Honam; a Silhak (Practical Learning) scholar of the late Joseon period and an anti-Japanese independence fighter, he also took part in the Donghak Peasant Revolution. He emphasised the need for specialised colleges and argued that all citizens should be obliged to pursue learning. Seeking to wage a national salvation movement through international diplomatic activity following the establishment of the Residency-General in 1904, he attempted to reach the peace conference held in Portsmouth, USA in 1905 in order to denounce Japan's aggressive intentions, but was unable to achieve this. In 1906 he organised the Daehan Jaganghoe (Korea Self-Strengthening Society) together with Jang Ji-yeon, Yun Hyo-jeong and others, working as an educator to enlighten the people, and in 1909, intending to foster national self-awareness, he also pursued the founding of the Danhakhoe, but he died in the line of duty that same year. He left behind a work titled Haehak yuseo, and in 1968 he was posthumously awarded the Order of Merit for National Foundation. Yi Gi's birthplace originally consisted of a thatched-roof anchae (main quarters) and sarangchae (men's quarters); the present occupant has since renovated the anchae with slate roofing, while the sarangchae collapsed, and a storehouse newly built on its site is now in use.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Gimje, Jeonbuk

Designation

Provincial Monument · 시도기념물