Anti-Western Stele, Gumi

A cheokhwabi (anti-Western stele) is a type of stele that Heungseon Daewongun — who, under Emperor Gojong, led Joseon to victory in the French and American incursions — had erected along roadsides in Seoul and throughout the country to warn the entire population against the aggression of the Western powers; this stele is one of them. It is the only one in the country with its inscription carved directly into a rock face, and the text carries the stern warning: "Although the Western barbarians invade, if we do not fight we have no choice but to make peace, and to advocate peace is to sell out the nation — we warn our descendants for ten thousand generations." It was erected simultaneously with others across the country in the 8th year of Emperor Gojong (1871). After the Imo Mutiny broke out in the 19th year of Emperor Gojong (1882) and the Daewongun was abducted to the Russian legation, exchanges with many countries of the world followed, and most cheokhwabi steles were taken down; even so, a handful of these steles remain standing here and there, vividly conveying a scene from the nation's past.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Gumi, Gyeongbuk

Designation

Cultural Heritage Material · 문화유산자료