Haenam-gun, Excavation of Jeollausuyeong Site: Inner Office and Dongheon of Central Government Office Unearthed

Panoramic View of the Entire Excavation Site of Jeonra Usuyeong (Photo by Haenam-gun)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Hyun] The central government office site of Haenam Jeolla Naval Base, the victory site of the Battle of Myeongnyang, including Naea (inner office), Dongheon (east office), and the gate facilities, has been confirmed for the first time.

According to Haenam County on the 9th, an excavation survey has been conducted since May this year at Haenam Jeolla Naval Base, a national historic site No. 535.

The excavation results revealed that the central government office was surrounded by grand retaining walls and fences, and parts of Naea, the official residence where the naval commander resided, and Dongheon, the office building, were excavated for the first time.

Gate facilities for entry and exit on the road network leading to the government office, earthworks for building construction, and buildings outside the central government office area were also confirmed. Hundreds of artifacts, including early white porcelain with the inscription "우수" (Usu), inscribed roof tiles, roof-end tiles, and Sangpyeong Tongbo coins, were unearthed.

Haenam Usu Naval Base was the location of the Jeolla Naval Base during the Joseon Dynasty, established in 1440 (the 22nd year of King Sejong) and maintained for over 450 years until 1895 (the 32nd year of King Gojong), serving as a strategic military point.

During the Imjin War, it was the main base overseeing 14 coastal posts in Jeolla Province, and the Uldolmok Strait, where Admiral Yi Sun-sin achieved a great victory in the Battle of Myeongnyang, is located here.

The Naea area was created by cutting and filling part of a ridge overlooking the sea of Myeongnyang Strait, then surrounded by terraced retaining walls and fences to maximize the prominence of the main buildings.

The two original buildings were constructed on an ondol (underfloor heating) structure on a large scale in the late 15th century, and expanded to four buildings through major renovations in the 16th to 17th centuries.

The central building was confirmed to have a four-room square ("ㅁ") shape with a courtyard (jungjeong 中庭) in the middle, and surrounding buildings were judged to be auxiliary facilities such as warehouses.

In the Dongheon area, parts of the building site, retaining walls, and entry/exit roads were confirmed. The building remains consist of five rooms and are believed to be a corridor (haenggak 行閣), a passageway facing from south to north between buildings or at the entrance.

The southern retaining wall was built high and grandly with slate, and the eastern side was terraced and elevated to distinguish it from other areas.

The gate facilities served as the central axis of the road network within Usu Naval Base; one led to the southern guesthouse, and the other to the east gate.

Notably, the main eastern entrance was used until modern times and is believed to be the place where many commanders, including Admiral Yi Sun-sin of the Battle of Myeongnyang, gathered for meetings. The unearthed artifacts such as buncheong and white porcelain, inscribed roof tiles, and coins helped determine the building's age and characteristics.

The early white porcelain was produced at the central official kiln, with several pieces inscribed with "우수" (Usu), and local official kiln products were identified as tributes from various regions. Roof tiles, including roof-end tiles and inscribed tiles dated 1688, were also excavated, providing clues to the building's age and nature.

This excavation confirmed the reality of the central government office site of Jeolla Naval Base, the rear base of the Battle of Myeongnyang, and is expected to provide important clues for restoring the landscape of Jeolla Naval Base.

Haenam County will hold an on-site briefing session on the excavation on the 10th.

Myunghyeon-gwan, Haenam County Governor, stated, "Jeolla Naval Base was the main base of the Jeolla naval forces and a strategically important point in naval history as well as the center of Admiral Yi Sun-sin's heritage. Through annual excavation surveys, we will trace the full scope of Jeolla Naval Base to enhance its historical status and utilize it as a place for public historical education."

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