‘Yangsan Wicheon Bongsu’ Elevated to Nationally Designated Historic Site

The view of Wicheonbongsu in Yangsan, Gyeongnam.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Duyul] Yangsan Wicheon Bongsu (Wonjeoksan Bongsu), a cultural monument of Gyeongnam Province, was elevated to a national historic site on the 10th.

The Cultural Heritage Administration designated 14 bongsu (beacon fire) sites nationwide, which were military communication means, as national historic sites on the 10th, and Yangsan Wicheon Bongsu was elevated as one of these 14 national historic sites.

Designated as a historic site, Yangsan Wicheon Bongsu is the only bongsu site in Yangsan and is the 5th Naejibongsu on the 2nd direct bongsu route. It is estimated to have been constructed between 1454 and 1469.

Also, due to its location, it is believed to be closely related to Wicheon Station, a subordinate station of Hwangsan Station, which was a major transportation and communication institution during the Joseon Dynasty. Its form is a yeongwak type with a double-layered protective wall, featuring a unique layout where the beacon fire facilities and living quarters are separated by the protective walls.

Wicheon Bongsu is an important military and communication facility of Joseon, serving as a historical evidence that clearly demonstrates the military and communication system of that era.

In particular, it has been consistently recorded in various documents from the early Joseon compilation "Gyeongsang Sokchan Jiriji" to the "Jeungbo Munheon Bigo".

The bongsu route was a very important communication system to relay changes to the central government in the shortest time, making it a site of high academic value.

A city official stated, "With the elevation of Wicheon Bongsu to a nationally designated cultural heritage historic site, it has been confirmed once again that the Yangsan area was a key strategic point in transportation and bongsu operation during the Joseon Dynasty."

He added, "We will meticulously restore the Wicheon Bongsu site through thorough verification, and any incorrectly restored yeonjo facilities will be faithfully restored based on future excavation results. We plan to utilize it as a historical and cultural tourism resource through bongsu educational activities and beacon fire demonstration events in cooperation with the Yangsan City Museum."

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