Suncheon Hyanggyo Daeseongjeon Designated as National Treasure No. 2101

The Historical Origin of the Educational City Suncheon: Suncheon Hyanggyo Recognized for Historical and Academic Value

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] The Daeseongjeon Hall of Suncheon Hyanggyo, a representative cultural asset of Suncheon, has been designated as Treasure No. 2101, a national designated cultural property.

Suncheon Hyanggyo has been designated and managed as Jeollanam-do Tangible Cultural Property No. 127 since 1982.

Due to wars such as the Imjin War and frequent floods, the original form was lost after several relocations, and the construction date was unclear, preventing proper evaluation.

However, during the dismantling and repair of Daeseongjeon in 2006, a ridge beam inscription dated 1649 (the 27th year of King Injo) was discovered on the underside of the ridge purlin, revising the construction date of Daeseongjeon upward by about 150 years from the previously believed 1801 (the 1st year of King Sunjo).

This served as evidence that major components of Daeseongjeon were reused each time Suncheon Hyanggyo was relocated in 1780 and 1801.

Suncheon Hyanggyo Daeseongjeon is a building with five bays in the front and three bays on the side, and compared to other Hyanggyo Daeseongjeon halls, it excels in scale, structure, style, and decorative aspects.

Additionally, Suncheon Hyanggyo Daeseongjeon is the second largest and most grandiose in the Jeollanam-do region, following Naju Hyanggyo Daeseongjeon (Treasure No. 394).

An official from the Cultural Heritage Administration stated, “Suncheon Hyanggyo Daeseongjeon is a mid-17th century Confucian architecture with a clear construction history. Along with Naju Hyanggyo Daeseongjeon, it represents wooden architecture of the Honam region. Its simple and modest joinery techniques clearly reflect the characteristics of late Joseon Confucian architecture, making it academically and historically valuable enough to be designated as a national treasure.”

A Suncheon city official said, “Suncheon’s historical status as a city of education originates from Suncheon Hyanggyo, and as such, many cultural assets with high historical value remain at Suncheon Hyanggyo. We will strive to convey the value of Suncheon Hyanggyo to citizens through continuous preservation and research in the future.”

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