Hyogok Seowon

About this place

Hyogok Seowon is a Confucian academy that enshrines Kim Chung (1513-1572), Song Ryang (1534-1618), Go In-gye (1594-1647), and Kim Gwang-du (1562-1608). Kim Chung passed the higher civil service examination in 1515 (the 6th year of King Myeongjong) and served in posts such as Chunchugwan, Gijugwan, and Hojo Jeongnang. Song Ryang, a disciple of Seong Un (1497-1579), served as Heolleung Chambong and Hanseong Chamgun, among other posts; together with his colleagues he founded Ohyeonwon, drew up academic regulations, and devoted himself to nurturing younger scholars. Go In-gye refused to join the Northerners (Bugin) faction, was demoted to Yeongseo Dochalbang, and thereafter resigned. After the Injo Restoration, he served as Seonggyungwan Jeonjeok, Hyeongjo Jwarang, and Yean Hyeongam, among other posts. Kim Gwang-du raised a righteous army during the Japanese invasions (Imjin War) together with Jeong Gyeong-se, Yi Jeon, and Yi Jun, and repelled the Japanese troops. After the war ended, he took part in establishing Jonaewon, a private medical clinic. Hyogok Seowon began in 1685 (the 11th year of King Sukjong) as Sedeoksa, which honored Song Ryang. In 1724 (the 4th year of King Gyeongjong), because the terrain of Sedeoksa was cramped and inconvenient, it was relocated to the foot of Mount Gakhoesan in Gongseong-myeon. In 1735 (the 11th year of King Yeongjo), Kim Chung and Go In-gye were additionally enshrined, and it was elevated to a seowon. In 1780 (the 4th year of King Jeongjo), the academy at the foot of Mount Gakhoesan was relocated to Jeoldong, and in 1786 (the 10th year of King Jeongjo), Kim Gwang-du was additionally enshrined. In 1870 (the 7th year of King Gojong), Hyogok Seowon was demolished under the order to abolish seowon, and in 1902, by consensus of the Confucian scholars, an altar site was set up and altar rites were performed. Later, in 1931, the consensus of the Confucian scholars of Sangju to restore Hyogok Seowon was gathered, and a lecture hall was built slightly to the northwest of the original site. In 1968, the shrine was finally reconstructed, the altar rites were abolished, and a restoration commemoration rite was held.