Ugokjeong Pavilion, Jinju

Ugokjeong Pavilion was built in 1393, the second year of King Taejo of Joseon, by Jeong On, who had served as Inspector-General (daesaheon) in the closing years of Goryeo. Opposed to Taejo's dynastic revolution, Jeong On returned to his hometown to live in quiet retirement, and it was there that he built this pavilion. It was rebuilt in 1849, the fifteenth year of King Heonjong, and repaired again in 1976, bringing it to its present form. Jeong On upheld the principle that a loyal subject does not serve two kings, and lived out his life in seclusion. When King Taejo sent his son-in-law Yi Je to bring him to court, Jeong On could not bring himself to defy a royal command outright, and so excused himself by claiming to be blind, even though there was nothing outwardly wrong with his eyes. To verify this, it is said that pine needles were used to jab at his eyes, and although his pupils did not move, fresh blood flowed freely. The building has a frontage of three bays and a depth of two bays, with a hipped-and-gabled roof that, seen from the side, takes the shape of the character 八 (meaning "eight"). In the front courtyard outside the main gate, the pond where Jeong On once fished has been preserved in its original form.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Jinju, Gyeongnam

Designation

Cultural Heritage Material · 문화유산자료