This is the birthplace of King Mongmu Kim Yushin (595-673), the 13th generation descendant of King Kimsuro, the founder of Garakguk.
General Kim Yushin was the son of General Kim Seohyeon, a governor of Manno-gun, the former Jincheon-gun. He was born in Gyeyang, Sanggye-ri Jincheon County in 595 (the 17th year of the reign of King Jinpyeong.)
He became a Hwarang in 609 (the 31st year of the reign of King Jinpyeong) when he was only 15. In addition, he made a significant contribution during the Battle of Nangbiseong and took the post of ruler of Apryang province. He served as General-in-Chief (sangjanggun) during the reign of Queen Seondeok and as First Minister (Sangdaedeung) in 660, the 7th year of King Muyeol. He formed an alliance with Tang dynasty China to destroy the Baekje kingdom and attacked the Goguryeo kingdom as the supreme commender (Daechonggwan) of the allied forces of the Shilla dynasty and Tang dynasty in 668 to recover the territory of Goguryeo, the northern part of the Han River region and finally accomplished the unification of the Three Kingdoms. He was bestowed with the title of Taedaegakgan and awarded the honorary title of King Heungmu after his death.
At present there is a memorial stone called Yuheobi that was erected in 1983 at the place called Janggun-teo (the old site of the official residence of the viceroy) in front of Gyeyang. Yeonbojung, the water well that the official residence of the viceroy used, still exists around 50m north-east of Yuheobi. Furthermore, Chimadae, a place for horseriding and martial arts training, and Taesil are located at the top of the mountain, which is 461.8meters above sea level. The mountain is surrounded by a 216 meter long and 1-1.3 meter high stonework similar to a mountain fortress wall. This Taisil of Kim Yushin is considered historically important because it is one of the oldest types of Taisil in Korea.
Gilsangsa
Classification: Chungcheongbuk-do Monument No. 1
Designated date: February 21, 1975
Age: Established during the United Shilla period, rebuilt in 1975
Administered by Jincheon County Government Telephone: 043-539-3935
Address: 508 Byeokam-ri Jincheon-eup Jincheon-gun
Located in Dodang-san of Jincheon, Gilsangsa is a shrine dedicated to King Hongmu Kim Yushin, who achieved the great unification of the Three Kingdoms.
According to Sejongsilrokjiriji, the shrine was first built under Taeryeong-san Mountain where General Kim Yushin’s Taesil was buried and during the Shilla period a national memorial service was held there. Later, in the 8th year of the reign of King Taejong of Joseon, a local service was held every year.
Later on Gilsangsa was totally destroyed during two wars (Imjin – the Japanese invasion - and Byeongja during the Joseon Dynasty). Gyeyangmyo was established at the former site of Jukgyesa in Baekgok Gajuk-ri during the reign of King Choeljong. It was re-constructed at Dodangsan Mt in 1926, expanded in 1959 and fully rebuilt in 1976.
The main building is called ‘Heungmujeon’ and has five rooms in the front, two rooms on the flank and 8 Jusimpo. A portrait of General Kim Yushin was enshrined inside the building. There are “Heungmudatwangsinseongbi” (engraved stone tablets created by artist Lee Seongun and written by Kim Manhee) erected in 1957 in the back yard, “Kim Yushin General sajeokbi”(engraved stone tablets created by artist Lee Eunsang and written by Kim Chunghyeon) erected in 1976 in the courtyard, and “Gilsangsajunggeonsajeokbi”(engraved stone tablets created by Jo Geonsang and written by Lee Sangbok) erected in the same year.
General Kim Yusin (595∼673) was the son of General Kim Seohyeon, a governor of Manno-gun, the former Jincheon-gun. He became a Hwarang in the 31st year during the reign of King Jinpyeong and took the post of a ruler of Apryang province after he made a significant contribution during the Battle of Nangbiseong.
He served as General-in-Chief (sangjanggun) during the reign of Queen Seondeok and Supreme Commander (Daechonggwan), conquering and taking possession 12 castles belonging to the Baekje Kingdom, during the reign of Queen Jindeok. He also served as Extraordinary Rank One (Sangdaedeung) in the 7th year of King Muyeol and formed an alliance with the Tang Dynasty in China to destroy the Baekje Kingdom and attacked Goguryeo forces as the Supreme Commander (Daechonggwan) of the allied forces of the Shilla Dynasty and Tang Dynasty to take possession of the territory of the Goguryeo Kingdom, located around the northern part of Han River, and finally accomplished the unification of the Three Kingdoms. He was bestowed with title Taedaegakgan and the honorary title of King Heungmu after his death.
The historic site of steel production in Seokjang-ri
Classification: Provincial Cultural Property (Monument No. 124)
The area of Deoksan-myeon in Jincheon-gun is composed of ancient flat hills that were formed throughout the upper region of the Mihocheon Stream. Historic remains were found at the western part of hills to the north of the 105.2m high mountain that ranges across the three neighboring villages of Gusan-ri, Seokjang-ri and Gijeon-ri of Deoksan-myeon. A total of 38 historic ruins relating to iron production and/or iron products production activities were discovered. The structures of the inner walls and floors of the site are expected to play an important role in helping to guide the restoration of the ancient furnaces.
The ruins were concentrated in the limited area on the slopes of a small valley in the flat hills. In addition, a series of iron production processes from melting to refining were identified and the various sizes and types of furnaces were inspected including round-shaped, square-shaped and rectangle-shaped furnaces as well as large-scale furnaces. In terms of structure, the site was discovered to be located underground and semi-underground and had simple, basic facilities within the slopes. In particular, it was discovered that the ancestors dug a ‘ㄷ’ - shaped hole at the site and built a furnace inside. The remains of potteries such as saucers and lids excavated from the sediment indicate that the production of steel continued in this area from the third century through to the fifth century.
The house of the great scholar Yi Sangseol
Classification: Local Momument No. 77 (Designated on March 31 1987)
Age: the birth place was rebuilt in December 1988
Administered by: Jincheon-gun Area: land area 376 pyeong, floor space 12.35 pyeong
This is the birthplace of the great scholar Yi Sangseol (1870~1917), designated as monument No. 77.
Yi Sangseol was born the son of Yi Hanewoo, a scholar, and passed the civil service examination in 1895. He served as a teacher at Sunggyunkwan University and an instructor at Hanseong College of Education. He spoke 7 languages including English and French and was a keen student of modern literature.
He worked at the Judicial Affairs Office under the Ministry of Finance and was selected as an administrator for the city of Uijeongbu in 1905. He was also active politically and was prominently involved in the campaign for independence from the Japanese.
Yi was bitterly opposed to the Eulsa Treaty (signed on November 7th 1905) that made Korea a protectorate of Japan. After this event he dedicated himself to the cause of independence.
He set about educating the Korean people about the threat posed by the Japanese to Korean sovereignty and he was sent by the Korean Emperor Gojong to attend the Second Hague Peace Convention in Hague from June through July in 1907 along with Yi Jun and Yi Wijong to announce the independence of Korea and the recovery of its sovereign rights to the international community. However, the mission failed because the emissaries were not granted admission to the conference. Yi Jun, devastated by this failure, committed suicide in Hague.
Yi Sangseol didn’t return to Korea. Instead, he visited a number of countries including Britain, France, Germany and the United States to educate public opinion about the brutality of the Japanese invasion and to insist that the independence of Korea was the key to peace in East Asia. After the Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty in 1910, he moved to the territory of Former Soviet Union, established a Korean village and educated the Korean people there. He died in 1917 at the age of 47.
Sanggye-ri and Yeongok-ri of Jincheon-eup used to be the borderland between Shilla and Goguryeo kingdoms during the Three Kingdoms period. The birthplace of General Kim Yushin is located in Gyeyang village of Sanggye-ri. Taeryeong mountain foretress and Manrae mountain foretress are located in Manrae Mountain. Found nearby was an ancient tombstone monument (Baekbi, Treasure No. 404), which is believed to have been built in the early period of Goryeo Dynasty (918 – 1392) in the Yeongok-ri area. Baekbi was restored and preserved in the pavilion of Botapsa. There is also a three-story stone pagoda there.
A special architectural inspection team visited the site in 1991 and the construction of Botapsa began in May 1992 under the supervision of Shin Yonghoon, a specialist in cultural properties. Many precious ancient relics, including Buddhist scriptures, can be viewed there.
Botapsa was named in the hope of that all people will be full of the mercy of Buddha. The site is around 4,000 pyeong in size (1 pyeong = 303058 square meters) and the total building foor area is 170 peyong. The tower is 54 meters high and the chief monk is Jigwang Woo Uigeun.
Youngsusa
Classification: Buddhist temple
Age: Goryeo dynasty
Chinese character:
Adminstered by Yi Eunhee
Telephone: 043-534-0966
Address: San 542 Yeonggu-ri, Chopyeong-myeon, Jincheon-gun, Chungbuk
Youngsusa is not an officially designated cultural property, but its cultural value was recognized by an investigation team from Dankuk University in 1977. Youngsusa is a Buddhist temple made of wood.
Younsusa was built by Jeungtongguksa in 918 during the early reign of King Taejo of Goryeo and rebuilt by Jujeong Yoik in the 31st year of King Sunjo in the modern Joseon period. It was additionally renovated in the 5th year of King Gojong (1867).
It’s said that Youngsusa was given the spirit force of Mountain Doota, one of the famous mountians in Jincheon, and is visited by many people each year due to the spring water running in the temple which is believed to have medicinal properties. In particular, Youngsusa is a very popular tourist location in the summer because the water is very cool and refreshing. Therefore, it’s not surprising that many Buddhists gather here to pray and meditate. Here you can view the 875.5cm-long and 579 cm-wide Guaebul, a large portrait of Buddha, which was designated a Local Tangible Cultural Property (No. 44) on December 7 1977. This Guaebul was moved from Bekyeonam in Yeongok-ri, Jincheon-eup. It’s said that this portrait of Buddha was drawn by the Buddhist painters Bigeo Myeongok, Soeup Hyeonuk and Beopneung and is based on a description of Buddha delivering a sermon in India.
Yonghwasa was first built in the 19th year of King Seongdeok (702-737) of Shilla dynasty to enshirine a sacred Buddhist statue. However, when Confucianism became the dominant ruling principle and Buddhism was eclipsed during the Joseon Dynasty, the temple fell into disrepair and this stone statue of Buddha remained alone. The Buddist sanctuary and the Yosachae, the residential building for Buddhist monks, were built by Hanjashim in October 1959. The sanctuary was renovated and renamed Yongwhasa in October 1965.
Located in Jiam-ri of Jincheon-eup, Munsuam was built in 1380 during the Goryeo Dynasty. There are approximately 100 Buddhists residing there. The chief monk is Byeon Mangyu, whose Buddhist name is Seongwon.
Munsuam was first built in the period of the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392), but was closed down during the Joseon Dynasty (1392 -1897). The temple was rebuilt by Gong Yeolyu in 1949 and the Yosachae was newly built by Byeon Mangyu in March 1966.
Daeheungsa
Classification: Traditional Buddhist temple
Age : Goryeo dynasty
Telephone: 043-533-2557
Address: San 32 Wondeok-ri, Jincheon-eup, Jincheon-gun, Chungbuk
Daeheungsa was built in the 1300s and accommodates approximately 3,500 Buddhists believers. The chief monk is Choi Subong, whose Buddhist name is Sangmyeong.
Daeheungsa is located in the hillside of Bongwha Mountain in wondeok-ri of Jincheon-eup. It’s unknown when the temple was built. However, it’s said that the temple was built by Jo Jungwoo, named as Yeongeunam, according to the Sangsanjipyeon texts. According to another story, the temple was built during the Goryeo Dynasty and rebuilt by Jo Changho in the 45th year of Gwangmu after it had fallen into disrepair. In addition, the temple was renovated by Kim Haksoo, a monk, in 1954. The main temple and Sansingak were newly built and the Yosachae was renovated by Cha Daesul, the chief monk, in 1983. Geuklakjeon Hall was opened on May 14 1988.
Located in Sansu-ri, Deoksan-myeon, Jincheon-gun, Chungbuk, Seongrimsa Temple belongs to the Taegojong branch of Korean Buddhism. It’s unknown who built the temple, but relics it’s assumed that the temple was established in 1380 relics found there. From the remnants scattered here and there it is believed that the temple was relatively big one for its time. The current form of the temple was completed when the sactuary and the temple dormitary were newly built in 1960s. Before that, it was a dilapidated state. There is a precious stone statue of Buddha seated, which is considered to have been made in the period of Goryeo Dynasty.
Jincheonnonggyo
Cassification: Chungcheongbuk-do Tangible Cultural Property No. 28 (designated on December 30 1976)
Jincheonnonggyo is a unique-style bridge over Segumcheon, running in front of the village of Gugok-ri. Made of red stones of rock fill, Jincheonnonggyo is the longest ancient bridge that remains in South Korea.
In the beginning 28 bridge piers were made by accumulating red rocks and a 170cm-long, 80cm -wide and 20cm-thick flat stone was placed on the top of the piers. The bridge is 3.6 meter long and 3.6m wide. The bridge pier is 1.2 meter long and the width between piers is less than 80 cm. Even though lime was not used to build the bridge, it has kept its original form and has not been washed away in the rainy seasons.
Jeongsonggangsa
Classification :Chungcheongbuk-do Monument No. 9 (Designated on December 21, 1976)
Period: Joseon Dynasty (1688, the 6th year of King Hyeonjong), rebuilt from 1979 through 1981
Size: Shrine (19 pyeong), Museum of relics (32 pyeong)
Jeongsonggangsa is Local Monument No. 9, and Songgang Jeongcheol (1536~1593)is entombed there.
The grave of Songgang was originally located in Sinwon-ri, Wondang-myeong in Goyang-gun. U-am Song Siyeol designated the current site of the grave in the 6th year of King Hyeonjong (1665) and Jeong Yang, a descendant of Song gang, moved the grave and established the temple, which went through a full-scale renovation in 1979 because it was too small. Made of wood, the shrine is 19 pyeong-large with a Korea traditional sloping roof. There is also a museum containing relics. The grave of Songgang and sindobi are within the temple precincts and silver cups, jade cups, the diary and letters of Songgang are also on display. There is also a narrow path densely covered with lush grasses on the left of Songgangsa that was designated as Local Monument No. 9 in 1976.
Located below Nogosan Mountain in Yangbaek-ri, Baekgok-myeon in Jincheon-gun, Baethi Martyrs’ Shrine has been used as a place for paying a tribute to the faith of a number of martyrs and is a place of prayer and meditation.
There are two stories why it was called Baethi. One story explains that it was called Ichi - the pear hill - because there were lots of pears at the entrance of the village. So, it was called Baethi in Korean. Another story explains that when Yi Injioa rebelled, he was defeated by Yi Sungon, an elderly man of the village when he passed through Baekgok. He was defeated again by the royal forces led by Oh Myeonghwang on his way to Anseong. So, it was called Paechi first and changed to Baechi afterwards. Religious faith began to become popular again from 1870 and missionaries established five churches in Baethi, Sambak-gol, Yongjin-gol, Saeul and Gulti. A Catholic mission school was founded in Baethi in 1890. However, during the Japanese colonial period, the Catholic believers gradually left one by one and the pottery house where the Catholic believers made a living and the graves of unknown martyrs still remain. A Baethi Shrine Development Supporters Association is being organized and plans to establish a Church History Institute and a Retreat house in Baethi