Yeosan Dongheon (Local Government Office)

About this place

This building stands on the highest of three terraced platforms and appears to date from the late Joseon period. The walls and interior plan have been partially modified in recent times, losing their original form, but the structure is relatively well preserved. In particular, the eaves and the great hall floor (daecheong maru) showcase the classic beauty of Korean wooden architecture. Yeosan Dongheon is one of the few remaining local government buildings from the Joseon period that has retained its original appearance. The zelkova trees (Zelkova serrata) in the compound — registered as a Jeollabuk-do Monument — have no known records of their planting date. However, since seven large zelkova trees are concentrated around the dongheon area, it is assumed they were planted in connection with the establishment of the local government office. Yeosan became a county during the reign of King Taejong of Joseon (1402), and the office was upgraded to a prefectural government during King Sejong's reign (1436); based on this, the trees are estimated to be around 600 years old. Their trunk circumference is 4.5 m and their height is 22 m.