Busan Confucian Academy

About this place

Busan Seowon, in Jinbyeon-ri, Gyuam-myeon, Buyeo-gun, was founded in the 45th year of King Sukjong to honor Kim Jip and Yi Gyeong-yeo, two late Joseon scholars. The same year it received the royal designation 'Busan.' It was demolished by King Gojong in the 8th year of his reign under the Daewongun's abolition order and rebuilt in 1980 by local Confucian scholars led by County Magistrate Jeong Yeon-dal. The buildings include a 3-bay shrine, a central shrine gate (sinmun) flanked by narrow gates. Ceremonies are held on September 18 each year. A notable artifact is the 'Busan Gakseoseok' rock inscription, which bears Yi Gyeong-yeo's reply from King Hyojong, carved in Song Si-yeol's handwriting. The academy is set on a hill behind the towering Busan cliff overlooking the Baengma River, with a 'front study, rear shrine' layout. A winter plum tree planted by Yi Gyeong-yeo upon his return from captivity in Qing's Shenyang stands in the grounds. Nearby: Jaoktae, Jeongnimsaji Five-story Stone Pagoda, ancient granary site, and Goransi boat tour.