Songgok Seowon

About this place

Songgok Seowon, located in Aeryeon-ri, Cheongtong-myeon, Yeongcheon-si, is an academy erected in 1702 (the 28th year of King Sukjong) by the consensus of the local Confucian scholars to honor the scholarship and virtuous conduct of Yu Bang-seon and Gwak Sun. At first the memorial tablets were enshrined in the shrine Gyeonghyeonwon; later the academy's name was changed to Songgok, and in 1712 (the 38th year of King Sukjong) Yi Hyeon-bo and Sim Ji-won were also enshrined. Afterward, Yi Bo-heum and Yun Bong-o were additionally enshrined. While it enshrined the memorial tablets of eminent Confucian scholars, held ancestral rites, and took charge of the education and edification of the local people, it was demolished in 1868 (the 5th year of King Gojong) under the Seowon Abolition Order of Heungseon Daewongun; in 1965 it was restored by the consensus of the Confucian scholars, enshrining only Yu Bang-seon and Yi Bo-heum. The buildings within the precinct include a three-kan shrine, a spirit gate, east and west side gates, a lecture hall, a study, and a main gate; beside the shrine stands the memorial stele of Master Taejae Yu, and a memorial rite is held every year on the first jeong day of the third lunar month.