Academic Lecture by Honam Confucian Scholar Gonjae Jeong Gaecheong Successfully Held

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] On the afternoon of the 2nd at 2 PM, the academic lecture titled "Gonjae Jeong Gae-cheong, the Patriarch of Honam Confucian Scholars" was held successfully at the Samrak Hall of Hampyeong Hakdari High School, Hampyeong County, Jeollanam-do, the local government announced on the 4th.

The invited lecturer, Professor Emeritus Lee Jong-beom of Chosun University, former founding director of the Korea Studies Honam Promotion Foundation, passionately heated the auditorium for two hours on the topic "The Scholarship and Political Ideals of Gonjae Jeong Gae-cheong."

This academic lecture, conducted for students of Hampyeong Hakdari High School and residents of Hampyeong County, was hosted by the Hampyeong Cheonji Forum and organized by the Jasan Seowon Promotion Association. It was supported by Hampyeong County, the Hampyeong County Council, and Hampyeong Broadcasting.

Jung Young-oh, chairman of the Jasan Seowon Promotion Association, which organized the event, stated, “Jasan Seowon, which was destroyed five times and rebuilt for the sixth time, is unprecedented even when viewed in the context of world history.”

He added, “Figures from the Joseon Dynasty such as Yun Seon-do, Park Soon, and Heo Mok described Gonjae Jeong Gae-cheong as the 'patriarch of Honam Confucian scholars.' However, the current Jasan Seowon, which enshrines the patriarch of Jeolla Province, should be maintained accordingly. Yet, it cannot be compared to Andong Seowon or Sosu Seowon in Gyeongsang Province. We must realize that Jeong Gae-cheong, the 'patriarch of Honam Confucian scholars,' and Jasan Seowon are great assets and sources of pride for our Honam region,” he emphasized.

Members and executive committee members of the Jasan Seowon Promotion Association urged attention to the historic sites related to Jeong Gae-cheong near Jasan Seowon after the academic conference.

There is Yoonamsa (Jedongsa), the shrine of Gonjae Jeong Gae-cheong, located in Jedong Village on Jeja Street, named because many of Gonjae’s disciples used to walk the street.

Memorial monuments such as the Yuhyeodanhyangbi, built later in remembrance of Gonjae, the Cheonmundan where Gonjae observed astronomy and geography, and Daegulpo, where Gonjae’s disciples are said to have first built the Turtle Ship, are all historic sites associated with Gonjae Jeong Gae-cheong.

A common point is that these sites are either little known or in poor preservation condition.

The woodblock print of Udeukrok, registered as Jeollanam-do Tangible Cultural Property No. 146, is stored in the repository within Jasan Seowon, but the repository is small and narrow, requiring maintenance. Also, Jasan Seowon, designated as Hampyeong County Local Cultural Property No. 2, needs installation of signage or explanatory panels.

The academic conference on Gonjae Jeong Gae-cheong held on the 2nd is recorded as the first of its kind in Hampyeong.

Starting with this academic conference, the Jasan Seowon Promotion Association has already drawn up plans to promote Jasan Seowon and Jeong Gae-cheong and to restore the neglected historic sites.

In the future, it is expected that academic lectures will continue, moving locations between the Jeollanam-do Provincial Assembly and the National Assembly.

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