Goheung-gun Selected for 2021 Saengsaeng Cultural Heritage Project by Cultural Heritage Administration

Descendants of Heungyang Naval Forces 'Heungyang Naval Expedition Team' Program

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] Goheung-gun, Jeollanam-do announced on the 17th that it has been finally selected for the Cultural Heritage Administration’s public project ‘2021 Saengsaeng Cultural Heritage’ with a program called ‘Heungyang Naval Expedition Team.’

Saengsaeng Cultural Heritage is a cultural heritage utilization project supported by the Cultural Heritage Administration to allow the public to directly participate and see (觀, see), feel (感, feel), and enjoy (樂, enjoy) the value and meaning of local cultural heritage.

This project is an experiential program for the public that uses local cultural heritage as historical and cultural education content, based on the principles of ‘Lowering the threshold for cultural heritage,’ ‘Raising the quality of programs,’ and ‘Greatly enhancing public happiness.’

The cultural heritage to be utilized in this Saengsaeng Cultural Heritage project includes patriotic sites related to the Imjin War scattered throughout Goheung-gun, such as Balpojin Fortress, Ssangchungsa Shrine, Heungyanghyeon Eupseong Fortress, Song Clan Ssangchung Jeongnyeo, Song Clan Ssangchung Illyeolgak, and General Shin Yeoryang’s Jeongnyeo.

Goheung-gun, formerly known as ‘Heungyanghyeon’ during the Joseon Dynasty, played a strategic key role as one of the five naval commands and five ports of the Jeolla Left Naval Command, with one command and four ports located there. Its influence was immense to the extent that the brilliant naval victories of the Joseon navy during the Imjin War were recognized as the victories of the Heungyang navy.

Moreover, the righteous army activities in the Heungyang area, including those led by Shin Gun-an, arose from various social classes and preserved the meaning of protecting Joseon’s seas.

Balpojin Fortress is a naval fortress established around 1439 to strategically defend against frequent Japanese pirate invasions. In 1580, Admiral Yi Sun-sin was appointed as the Manho (naval commander) here, leaving many stories behind. It is a historic site designated as Jeollanam-do Monument No. 27 in 1977.

Ssangchungsa Shrine is a shrine dedicated to General Lee Daewon, who died fighting Japanese pirates that appeared on the southern coast in 1587, and General Jeong Un, the Nokdo Manho who died in the Battle of Busanpo during the Imjin War. In 1683 (the 9th year of King Sukjong’s reign), it was granted the name ‘Ssangchung’ by royal decree. Despite numerous historical upheavals, it remains a place for educating the loyalty and righteousness of Goheung citizens who have not forgotten these two loyal subjects, and Ssangchung Festival is still held there today.

The ‘Heungyang Naval Expedition Team,’ selected for this Cultural Heritage Administration public project, consists of cultural heritage exploration, a living history concert, cultural experiences, and performances. It will be held eight times in total from April to November 2021 throughout Goheung-gun.

The detailed programs include four themes such as ‘One Command Four Ports Heungyang Navy’ and ‘The Sea Where the Heungyang Navy Became Stars,’ expected to allow participants to confirm and experience the value of Goheung’s cultural heritage.

The participants are elementary, middle, and high school students. In particular, middle school students in the district, where the free semester system is being implemented, can participate as groups in a 1-night 2-day program, which will be conducted in consultation with the Goheung Office of Education.

A county official said, “We are conducting a historical resource survey of the Heungyang Naval Road for this project,” and added, “Taking this opportunity of being selected for the Saengsaeng Cultural Heritage project, we will widely promote the value of Goheung’s precious cultural resources and proceed with programs that everyone can learn from and feel together.”

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