Do You Know the Site of the Korean Empire's Weights and Measures Factory 'Pyeongsikwon'?

Created and Inspected Weights and Measures Tools as a Product of the Korean Empire's Gwangmu Reform... Operated for 3 Years from 1902 to 1904... Converted to the Industrial Department of the Government-General of Korea and Yongsan Branch after the Japan-Korea Forced Annexation

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Yongsan-gu (Mayor Seong Jang-hyun) introduced the site of Pyeongsikwon (a standard measurement manufacturing office) that operated during the Korean Empire period (located at 25 Wonhyo-ro 1-ga, currently the site of Yongsan Dream Tree Complex Town) to residents through the history and culture exploration section of the September issue of ‘Yongsan-gu News’.

The Korean Empire was the name of Joseon used from October 1897 to August 1910. King Gojong ascended as emperor and changed the national title to Daehan (Korean Empire).

Pyeongsikwon was a product of the ‘Gwangmu Reform’ aimed at Korea’s independent sovereignty during the Korean Empire. It was an institution under the direct control of the Emperor, belonging to the ‘Gungnaebu’ (Imperial Household Department), responsible for manufacturing and inspecting measurement tools such as rulers and scales (standards for measuring length, volume, weight, etc.).

At that time, with increasing foreign trade, King Gojong seemed to prioritize unifying measurement standards to ensure economic stability.

Pyeongsikwon began operations in 1902 and promulgated the ‘Measurement Standards Regulation’ in October of the same year. It unified central and local measurement standards and required the use of the metric system (米突法, Mideulbeop) alongside traditional names.

However, due to rapid colonization by Japan, Pyeongsikwon was abolished in 1904 and incorporated into the Ministry of Agriculture, Commerce, and Industry. After the Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty (1910), it was transformed into the Yongsan branch office of the Industrial Products Division under the Governor-General of Korea, continuing related duties.

Kim Cheon-su, head of the History and Culture Research Office at Yongsan Cultural Center, who contributed the article and photos to the newsletter, said, “Measurement standards are the yardstick of everyday economic life,” adding, “It is significant that the modern measurement system was first established in Yongsan.”

He also explained, “King Gojong established the Jeonhwanguk (mint) in 1898, the Jeongmiso (rice polishing mill) in 1900, Pyeongsikwon and Yurichang (glass manufacturing office) in 1902, and the Gungichang (armory) in 1903, all in Yongsan,” noting, “It appears he intended to make Yongsan, close to the capital, a center of modern commerce and industry.”

Yongsan-gu News is published on the 25th of every month. This month’s main articles include ‘Wise Reading Life,’ ‘Support Projects for Small Business Owners,’ and ‘Usage Guide for Partial Opening of Yongsan Park.’ The history and culture exploration section introducing modern and contemporary historical sites will continue with one installment each month until the end of the year.

Yongsan-gu News is distributed to residents through neighborhood leaders and is also available as an e-book on the district’s website. Residents wishing to receive it by mail can contact the district’s Public Relations Office.

Location of Pyeongsikwon marked on the Yongsan Merged Gyeongseong City Map (1911)

Seong Jang-hyun, Mayor of Yongsan-gu, said, “The current Dream Tree Complex Town and the former Yongsan-gu Office site are exactly where Pyeongsikwon of the Korean Empire was located,” adding, “We will uncover forgotten history and incorporate storytelling throughout the region.”

Last year, as part of the project to install 100 historical and cultural landmark signboards, the district installed a Pyeongsikwon site signboard near the main gate of Dream Tree Complex Town.

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