Suncheon-si 'Palmabi' Announced for Designation as Nationally Designated Cultural Property 'Treasure'

The 'Palmabi' Erected to Honor the Integrity of Goryeo Dynasty Local Officials as a Representative Cultural Heritage of the Republic of Korea

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] Suncheon City (Mayor Heo Seok) announced on the 26th that the ‘Palmabi (八馬碑)’ has been preliminarily designated as a national treasure.

Suncheon City has been conducting investigations into the historical significance and cultural value of Palmabi for its designation as a national cultural asset (treasure). On the 20th, Mayor Heo Seok of Suncheon visited the Cultural Heritage Administration and personally explained the significance of Palmabi’s treasure designation to the Administrator of the Cultural Heritage Administration.

Palmabi is a monument erected by the local people to honor the virtue of Choi Seok (崔碩), who served as the magistrate of Seungpyeong at the end of the Goryeo Dynasty and was transferred. It is highly valued historically as the first monument to commemorate the good governance and virtuous deeds of a local official, as well as a monument to a clean and upright official.

According to the 『Goryeosa』, “When Choi Seok received the position of Biseo-rang and left Seungpyeong, the Seungpyeong region gave him eight horses according to custom.

After arriving in Gaeseong, Choi Seok added his own foal born in Seungpyeong to the eight horses and sent them back.

As a result, the practice of giving horses to retiring magistrates was abolished in Seungpyeong, and the local people erected a monument to honor Choi Seok’s virtue, naming it ‘Palmabi (八馬碑).’”

Choi Seok’s Palmabi is estimated to have been erected after December 1281, and the current Palmabi was restored and re-erected in 1617 (the 9th year of King Gwanghae) by Suncheon magistrate Lee Su-gwang after the monument was damaged during the Japanese invasions of 1597 (the 30th year of King Seonjo).

Mayor Heo Seok said, “Within the history of Suncheon’s Palmabi lies the spirit of the citizens of Suncheon who have upheld the ethics of local officials and the spirit of integrity.” He added, “Through this treasure designation of Palmabi, I hope the culture of integrity will emerge as a key issue of our times, and we will do our best to preserve and utilize Palmabi and the spirit of clean officials.”

Mayor Heo Seok of Suncheon took his oath of office at Palmabi in 2018 after being elected mayor, becoming the first elected local government head to do so.

The Cultural Heritage Administration plans to designate Palmabi as a national treasure after collecting opinions from various sectors during the 30-day preliminary announcement period and reviewing it through the Cultural Heritage Committee.

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