The Splendid Cultural Heritage Milyang Yeongnamru, Fully Worthy of National Treasure Status

Embracing the Joys and Pains of the Era Wholeheartedly

Miryang City in Gyeongnam Province is highlighting the value of Yeongnamnu Pavilion on the 28th, spreading the justification for its 'National Treasure promotion' and emphasizing that Yeongnamnu should attain a status befitting its value, while praying for its elevation to National Treasure status.

Yeongnamnu Pavilion Has Sufficient Value for National Treasure Designation (1) - Photo by Byeonghyo Son.

The city held academic symposiums and advisory meetings for the 'Yeongnamnu National Treasure promotion' in 2014 and again in 2017, and conducted academic research in 2021 to apply for the designation, but the applications were rejected. To re-examine the cultural, historical, and architectural values, additional literature and data were investigated, leading to the withdrawal of the National Treasure application documents. In May 2022, the city submitted the application for National Treasure promotion to the Cultural Heritage Administration.

On the 17th, two cultural heritage committee members, two cultural heritage expert committee members, and three Cultural Heritage Administration staff attended an on-site inspection to investigate the designation value of Yeongnamnu as a National Treasure. After deliberation, the final decision on Yeongnamnu’s promotion to National Treasure status is expected.

At the inspection site, members of the Gyeongnam Provincial Council, the chairman and council members of Miryang City Council, and local Confucian scholars from Miryang Hyanggyo, Sungkyunkwan Confucian Association Miryang Branch, and Yerim Seowon participated in large numbers.

Civil organizations wishing for Yeongnamnu’s National Treasure promotion, such as the Local History Research Institute under the Miryang Cultural Center and the Yeongnam Road Restoration Committee, as well as residents of Naeildong adjacent to Yeongnamnu and general citizens, took part in the on-site event.

Additionally, a citizen representative personally delivered a letter expressing the earnest wish for Yeongnamnu’s National Treasure promotion to the Cultural Heritage Administration’s cultural heritage committee members.

The city, city council, and citizens have all worked together on various activities to promote Yeongnamnu’s elevation to National Treasure status.

In the 238th regular session of 2022, the Miryang City Council unanimously adopted a government appeal for Yeongnamnu’s National Treasure promotion and sent it to the Cultural Heritage Administration and related agencies.

At the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), where the 7th Korea Photo Festival was held last year, the Miryang branch of the Korea Photographers Association hosted the 'Miryang Yeongnamnu National Treasure Promotion Prayer Exhibition,' showcasing the beautiful architectural aesthetics of Yeongnamnu and expressing hopes for its National Treasure promotion. The exhibition is currently displayed at the Miryang City Hall gallery, offering citizens and visitors a glimpse of Yeongnamnu’s beauty.

On the 15th, citizen organizations jointly held a public forum at the Miryang Cultural Center auditorium, expressing their hopes for Yeongnamnu’s National Treasure promotion.

From 2014 to 2021, the city invested 11.5 billion KRW in projects to landmark Yeongnamnu, including restoration and maintenance of the East Gate of Miryang Eupseong Fortress, maintenance around Yeongnamnu, and restoration of the original terrain.

Between 2016 and 2017, with a budget of 4 billion KRW, the city undergrounded power lines along an 800-meter section of the central downtown road where Yeongnamnu and the government office are located, improving the environment around Yeongnamnu.

Originally, the site of present-day Yeongnamnu was home to Yeongnamsa Temple, built during the Silla period, which had a small bell pavilion called Geumbyeokru (Golden Wall Pavilion). After Yeongnamsa Temple was abolished during the Goryeo period, only the pavilion (the predecessor of Yeongnamnu) remained. In 1365 (the 14th year of King Gongmin), the pavilion was greatly rebuilt and named Yeongnamnu after the temple.

During the Joseon Dynasty, the pavilion was enlarged in 1460 (the 6th year of King Sejo), rebuilt in 1637 (the 15th year of King Injo) after being destroyed during King Seonjo’s reign, and finally reconstructed between 1843 and 1844 (the 10th year of King Heonjong) after a fire in 1842 (the 8th year of King Heonjong), remaining to this day.

Yeongnamnu, facing south on a cliff beside the wide Miryang River, was an annex pavilion of the Miryang Dohobu guesthouse in the late Joseon period and was beloved by numerous poets and scholars of the time.

Yeongnamnu is a wooden pavilion that has continuously inherited and developed its architectural style for over 650 years since it was rebuilt as a government pavilion by Kim Jooe, who came to Miryang as a local magistrate in 1365 during the late Goryeo period. In this regard, it is a rare and valuable example of Korean pavilion architecture, deserving special protection as a cultural heritage and holding great value from the perspective of world culture, making it fully worthy of National Treasure status.

Among existing pavilions, Yeongnamnu is distinguished by its large and grand appearance, featuring a large central pavilion called Daeru, flanked by Neungpagak, Yeosugak, and Chimryugak on its left and right, a unique architectural form with outstanding beauty not found in other pavilions.

Mayor Park Il-ho stated, “Miryang is the birthplace of Arirang, cherishing its history and culture, and is a gem-like region preserving splendid cultural heritage even in small street corners. At its center stands Yeongnamnu, the pride and hope of Miryang citizens who have shared its long history. Now is the time for Yeongnamnu to attain a status befitting its value. We will do our utmost to gather citizens’ wishes and ensure its promotion to National Treasure status,” expressing a strong commitment to Yeongnamnu’s National Treasure promotion.

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