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Gwangok Seowon (Confucian Academy)
Joseon

Gwangok Seowon (Confucian Academy)

32-7 Gwangi 1-gil, Jisa-myeon, Imsil-gun, Jeollabuk-do

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About this place

Seowon were private educational institutions established by local Confucian communities (sarim) from the mid-Joseon period onward to research scholarship and honor distinguished Confucian scholars. Gwangok Seowon, situated at the foot of Maebong Hill, was established in 1820 (the 20th year of King Sunjo) by local Confucianists to honor the scholarship and virtuous conduct of Choe Yun-deok, Yi Hyeong-nam, and Yi Jeok. It was demolished in 1868 (the 5th year of King Gojong) under the Joseon Regent Heungseon Daewongun's edict to abolish private academies, then restored by descendants in 1958. The grounds include a three-bay shrine. Rites are held twice yearly, on the middle-ding days of the 3rd and 9th months. The academy holds the Jeollabuk-do Tangible Cultural Heritage [Gwangok Seowon Collection of Books and Old Documents], considered valuable as rare surviving academy-related materials.