Seoul City Selects July's Cultural Heritage of the Month: Seoul Hangang Railroad Bridge, Jogyesa Seokga Buddha Painting, and Sunmyeongbi Yukangwon Stone Artifacts

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Seoul City announced on the 15th that it has selected the Seoul Hangang Railroad Bridge, Jogyesa Seokgabuldo, and Sunmyeongbi Yugangwon Stone Artifacts as the Cultural Heritage of the Month for July.

The Seoul Hangang Railroad Bridge (National Registered Cultural Heritage) was started in 1897 and completed on July 4, 1900. The first railroad bridge, built in 1900, is the first bridge over the Hangang River constructed during the building of the Gyeongin Railroad, Korea's first railway. All three bridges were destroyed during the Korean War (6.25 War) but were restored in 1957 (the third railroad bridge) and in 1969 (the first and second railroad bridges). This railroad bridge is a site used during the Japanese colonial period for Japan's colonial rule and exploitation, as well as a symbol of the hardships of the Korean War, industrial economic development, and transportation innovation.

Jogyesa Seokgabuldo (Seoul Metropolitan City Tangible Cultural Heritage) was designated as a cultural heritage on July 15, 2000. This painting, located behind the Buddha statue in the main hall of Jogyesa Temple, was painted by looking at the seated Buddha (Seokgabul). It depicts the Yeongsan Hoesangdo (Assembly on Vulture Peak), showing Buddha delivering a sermon on Yeongchwisan Mountain. The composition is excellent, and the figures are uniquely expressed. The artist of this painting is Kim Il-seop, a modern Buddhist art painter. It holds great historical value as a Buddhist painting created by all Buddhist orders uniting to carry out Buddhist works under Japanese colonial rule.

Sunmyeongbi Yugangwon Stone Artifacts (Seoul Metropolitan City Tangible Cultural Heritage) were designated as cultural heritage on July 16, 2001. These are stone sculptures remaining at the site of the former Yugangwon, the tomb of Empress Sunmyeonghyo, the wife of Sunjong, the 27th and last king of the Joseon Dynasty. Empress Sunmyeonghyo, daughter of Min Tae-ho, was appointed Crown Princess but died in 1904 before Sunjong became king. She was initially buried at Yugangwon, but after Sunjong's death in 1926, her tomb was moved to the current Yureung (Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province) to be enshrined together. At the site of Yugangwon, where Empress Sunmyeonghyo's tomb was originally prepared, about 20 stone artifacts remain around the tomb, including stone lanterns, civil official statues, and sculptures of animals such as horses, sheep, and tigers. These demonstrate excellent sculpting skills and hold historical value as royal stone sculptures from the late Joseon period.

The Cultural Heritage Card News of the Month can be viewed on the 15th of every month on the Seoul City website and Seoul City Cultural Headquarters SNS (Instagram, Facebook).

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