Naju City Restores 'Naju Mok Hyangcheong' After 50 Years

The ‘Naju-mok Hyangcheong,’ one of the local administrative facilities during the Joseon Dynasty, has been restored after 50 years.

Naju City, Jeollanam-do (Mayor Yoon Byung-tae) announced on the 10th that it has completed the restoration of the Naju-mok government office’s Hyangcheong, which was promoted with the goal of establishing the historical status of Naju, the center of Jeollado and the magistrate’s town, and advancing as the number one historical and cultural tourism destination, and recently held a completion ceremony.

Naju City recently held a completion ceremony for the restoration of the Naju Mokgwana Hyangcheong.
[Photo by Naju City]

Hyangcheong (鄕廳) was an autonomous organization that advised and assisted local magistrates during the Joseon Dynasty and is considered a core facility of the Naju-mok government office, which is Historic Site No. 483.

It is said that the Yuhyangso (留鄕所), established in the early Joseon period to establish a Neo-Confucian rural order, changed its name to Hyangcheong in the late Joseon period and was operated under that name.

However, during the Japanese colonial period, starting in 1911 with the Naju Tax Office, it was used as the Rashin Township Office, Naju Water Management Association, and Naju Agricultural Improvement Association building, but was demolished in 1973 due to the construction of a new association building, disappearing into the annals of history.

The restoration of Hyangcheong to correct Naju’s historical identity began in 2012 with the removal of concrete obstacles. Subsequently, in 2017, academic excavation surveys were conducted to secure verification materials and academic research data for the restoration of Hyangcheong.

The investigation revealed that the main Hyangcheong building was severely damaged during the construction of the Naju Agricultural Improvement Association building in 1973, with only six foundation remains of the pillars confirmed. Additionally, traces of a well were found between the entrance and the Hyangcheong building.

Based on this, the city established a basic plan for the restoration of Hyangcheong, underwent procedures such as review by the Cultural Heritage Administration, and held a groundbreaking ceremony for the restoration in September 2022 after the launch of the 8th elected administration.

The restoration of Hyangcheong involved a total project cost of 1.27 billion KRW, including 890 million KRW in national funds.

The main Hyangcheong building was restored in the form of a traditional hanok with a building area of 92.71㎡, consisting of three bays in the front and two bays on the side, according to the approval plan of the Cultural Heritage Committee’s Historic Site Subcommittee.

The remains of the gatehouse, the well, and the fence were also refurbished, and convenience facilities such as a plaza and parking lot around Hyangcheong were provided. The calligraphy on the Hyangcheong signboard was written by philosopher Kim Yong-ok, also known as Dol. The restored Naju Hyangcheong is located at 30 Hyangcheong-gil, Naju City.

About 50 people attended the completion ceremony, including Mayor Yoon Byung-tae, National Assembly member Shin Jeong-hoon, City Council Chairman Lee Sang-man, provincial and city council members, cultural heritage committee members, and local residents.

In his commemorative speech, Mayor Yoon Byung-tae said, “Hyangcheong was a historically very important government office facility where the Naju magistrate carefully looked after the people and advised and assisted so that Naju, the heroic city of Honam, could fulfill its role as a pillar supporting the country.”

He added, “Starting with Hyangcheong, we will create a walkable tourist city linked with historical and cultural resources through the restoration of Naju Eupseong Fortress, Naju-mok government office, Naju Hyanggyo Confucian school, the Millennium Garden at Geumseonggwan pond site, and the Najucheon ecological waterway project.”

Naju = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Lee Han-hyuk baekok@asiae.co.kr

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