Omokdae and Imokdae Pavilions

About this place

Omokdae Pavilion, built on a cliff-like hill along a four-lane road north of Hanbokdang and Jeonju Hyanggyo, is the site where Yi Seonggye (who would found the Joseon dynasty) stopped in the 6th year of King U of Goryeo (1380) on his way back from defeating the Japanese forces at Hwangsan in Unbong, to celebrate his victory at the place where his ancestor Mokjo had lived. Emperor Gojong later erected a stele in his own calligraphy reading 'Taejo Gohwang Jejupil Yuji' (A site where the founding emperor personally passed). Crossing a pedestrian overpass from Omokdae leads to Imokdae, located at the foot of Seungamsan, a mountain that is home to a Catholic martyrs' site. About 70 m above the main building is a stele and pavilion. The stele is inscribed 'Mokjo Daewang Gugeoyuji' (Site of the former residence of the great king Mokjo), also in the calligraphy of Emperor Gojong. Mokjo, the 5th-generation ancestor of Yi Seonggye the founder of Joseon, is said to have lived here as a child and played war games, as recorded in Yongbiocheonga. After Mokjo moved to Hamgyong-do due to a conflict with the Jeonju magistrate of the time, this became the foundation for Yi Seonggye to eventually found the Joseon dynasty, which was regarded as Heaven's will.