Palbongseowon Confucian Academy, Chungju

Palbongseowon in Chungju is a seowon, a private Confucian academy, dedicated to four eminent Confucian scholars of the Joseon period — Yi Ja, Yi Yeon-gyeong, Kim Se-pil and No Su-sin — and it served to educate younger students. Palbongseowon was built in the 15th year of King Seonjo (1582), and in the 13th year of King Hyeonjong (1672) the state bestowed on it a plaque reading 'Palbongseowon', making it a royally chartered academy (sa-aek seowon). It was closed under the nationwide order abolishing seowon issued in the 8th year of Emperor Gojong (1871), after which only the site remained, until it was restored in traditional style in 1998. The building measures three bays across the front and two bays deep, with a gabled roof that, seen from the side, takes the shape of the character 'person' (人). The entrance is a raised three-bay gate bearing the plaque 'Palbongseowon'; to the right of the shrine stands a jaesil, a hall for visiting scholars, and to the left stands a monument commemorating the restoration. Yi Ja (1480–1533) was a civil official of the early Joseon period. He came first in the regular triennial state examination in the 7th year of Yeonsangun (1501) and served as Jwarang of the Ministry of Personnel, but resigned on account of Yeonsangun's misrule. After the restoration that installed King Jungjong, he rose to Deputy Chief Academician of the Hongmungwan and Third State Councilor, but was implicated in the Gimyo Purge and dismissed from office. Yi Yeon-gyeong (1484–1548) was a civil official of the early Joseon period. In the 10th year of Yeonsangun (1504), he accompanied his grandfather into exile during the Gapja Purge. Released after the restoration that installed King Jungjong, he served up to Jwarang of the Ministry of Justice, and in the 14th year of King Jungjong (1519) passed the hyeollyanggwa, a special recommendation-based state examination, in the third class. He served as Gyori, a counselor of the Hongmungwan, but was dismissed at the time of the Eulsa Purge; although his hyeollyanggwa status was later restored, he did not return to office. Kim Se-pil (1473–1533) was a civil official of the early Joseon period. After passing the regular triennial state examination in the 1st year of Yeonsangun (1459), he served as Inspector-General and Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. At the time of the Gimyo Purge he denounced King Jungjong's errors and was flogged and banished to Eumjuk-hyeon; he later lived in retirement in Saenggeuk-myeon, and was posthumously granted the post of Minister of Personnel. No Su-sin (1515–1590) was a civil official of the mid-Joseon period. He came first in the regular triennial state examination in the 38th year of King Jungjong (1543) and went on to serve in the Saganwon, the Office of the Censor-General, and as Jwarang of the Ministry of Personnel, but was dismissed at the time of the Eulsa Purge and returned to Chungju. From 1547 he spent nineteen years in exile on an island, exchanging letters on scholarship with Yi Hwang, Kim In-hu and others. With the accession of King Seonjo in 1567 he rose to Minister of Personnel, Daejehak (Chief Academician), Left State Councilor and Chief State Councilor. The site of Palbongseowon in Chungju was a royally chartered academy that provided local Confucian education, and the four scholars whose tablets are enshrined here upheld their integrity and principles amid the literati purges. It should be made a place that spreads the lofty spirit of these worthies and the tradition of the seowon, inspiring pride in our history and honouring the spirit of our forebears.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Chungju, Chungbuk

Designation

Provincial Monument · 시도기념물