Gwangnamseowon

About this place

Gwangnamseowon originated as Sedeoksa, built in 1791 (15th year of King Jeongjo) by local Confucian scholars and descendants to enshrine Hwangbo In (1387–1453), a civil official of the early Joseon period, and his sons Hwangbo Seok and Hwangbo Heum. Later, in 1831 (31st year of King Sunjo), it was promoted by the king to a chartered (saaek) seowon, but in 1868 (5th year of King Gojong) it was abolished under the order abolishing seowon issued by the Heungseon Daewongun, and was restored again in 1900. Hwangbo In served as Jeongeon of the Office of the Censor-General, Scholar of the Hall of Worthies, Third Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Governor of Gangwon Province, and Minister of War, before becoming Chief State Councilor (Yeonguijeong); he later assisted King Danjong and, during the Gyeyu Coup of 1453, was accused of treason and killed. With the restoration of King Danjong, his honor was restored and he was granted the posthumous title Chungjeong. The buildings currently within the precincts include the shrine Chungjeongmyo, the lecture hall Sunguidang, the dormitories Dongjae and Seojae used as living quarters, the inner three-gate, and the outer three-gate; behind the academy stands a memorial stele (yuheobi). The Hwangbo clan of Yeongcheon is in charge of its operation and management, and memorial rites are held every year on the middle jeong day of the 3rd lunar month.