Haengnim Seowon

About this place

Haengnim Seowon is a seowon built in the late Joseon period to honor Manjukheon Seo Ik. Seo Ik passed the state examination in the 2nd year of King Seonjo's reign and rose to the post of governor of Uiju, but was dismissed after defending Yi I and Jeong Cheol who had been impeached, and returned to his hometown. This seowon was built in the 4th year of King Gojong's reign (1867); two ginkgo trees stood before it, giving rise to the name Haengnim (ginkgo grove), and the spirit tablet of Master Seo Ik, previously enshrined at Hyoam Seowon in Sannori, was transferred here. It was subsequently closed under Heungseon Daewongun's order to abolish seowon, rebuilt in 1926, and Master Iso was additionally enshrined. The shrine hall is 3 bays wide and 2 bays deep with a gable roof. Within the compound stands Master Seo Ik's stele, and rites are held in the 3rd and 9th lunar months.