Joint Memorial Ceremony Held at Chilyeon Uichong in Muju-gun

Comforting the Spirits of Anti-Japanese Righteous Army Soldiers.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Go Dallyeong] The joint memorial service at Chilyeon Uichong in Muju-gun was held on the 1st at San 6, Gongjeong-ri, Anseong-myeon (Chilyeon Uichong).

The event was hosted by the Anseong-myeon Administrative Welfare Center (Mayor Park Gakchun) and organized by the Anseong-myeon Local Preservation Research Association. About 100 residents of Anseong-myeon, including County Governor Hwang Inhong, Chairman Yoo Songyeol, and members of the Residents' Autonomy Committee, attended, adding significance to the occasion. The event proceeded with the national ceremony, flower offering, and incense burning, led by Park Changgeol, the head of Muju Hyanggyo.

County Governor Hwang Inhong stated, "This year marks the 112th anniversary of the Chilyeon Uichong memorial service honoring those who sacrificed for the country," adding, "I hope their sacred loyalty will be revived as the patriotism of descendants for the development of Muju and the well-being of its residents."

Gong Seonhwa, president of the Anseong-myeon Local Preservation Research Association, said, "Our hometown Anseong is a proud place imbued with the spirit of patriotic loyalty that repelled the Japanese invasion, receiving the energy of Deogyu Yeongbong," and added, "I hope today's memorial service will comfort the souls of the righteous militia who sacrificed their lives with a spirit of national defense and inspire the patriotism of future generations."

Chilyeon Uichong (七淵義塚) in Anseong-myeon, Muju-gun, is Jeonbuk Monument No. 27 (designated on April 2, 1976). It is the resting place of the remains of about 150 righteous militia led by militia leader Shin Myeongseon. They died in an ambush by Japanese forces in 1908 at Songjeonggol in Chilyeon Valley. The burial site was established in 1969 when residents collected the remains buried near the valley.

Meanwhile, Deogyusan Mountain served as a gathering place for righteous militia from Jeollado, Gyeongsangdo, and Chungcheong regions and was a fierce battleground for anti-Japanese resistance. Due to its high and rugged terrain, it was a sacred site for militia who fought to save the nation during times of national crisis. The Deogyusan Militia Trail (7km), which connects Wontongsa Temple, Chilyeon Uichong, and Jisosan Intersection (including the Mun Taeseo martyr monument and Park Chunsil militia leader monument), was selected as a patriotic travel destination by the Korea Tourism Organization in 2013.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.