Modeoksa Shrine

About this place

Modeoksa is a shrine enshrining the portrait of Choe Ik-hyeon (pen name Myeonam, 1833–1906), a patriot of late Joseon. The name Modeoksa comes from the phrase 'admiring the virtue of Myeonam' (myeonam-ui deogeul heumsohanda), taking the characters 'mo' (慕, admire) and 'deok' (德, virtue) from the Emperor Gojong's written words. Choe Ik-hyeon was a disciple of Yi Hang-no, deeply learned in literature and Neo-Confucian philosophy. He passed the state examination in 1855 and rose to the office of Saheonbu Jangnyeong (Inspector-General). However, he repeatedly submitted petitions criticizing the Daewongun's policies for the good of the nation, and was exiled to Heuksando Island. In 1905, when the Eulsa Treaty was concluded, he advocated for punishment of those responsible for the treaty and documented Japan's crimes in 16 articles, before raising a righteous army in Taein, North Jeolla Province to fight the Japanese. He was captured by the Japanese military police, exiled to Tsushima Island, and died there, refusing to eat food offered by the enemy, on a hunger strike. After his death, people in Taein, Pocheon, Gokseong, and other regions erected shrines in his memory. Modeoksa includes his former residence, a library for his collected works, and an exhibition hall displaying his personal artifacts.