Goheung Gwanbang Site 'Mabuksan·Janggisan Beacon Mounds' Designated as National Historic Site

Published 22 Nov.2023 14:37(KST)

Report on Key Military and Communication Facilities and Geographic Information of Joseon

Goheung-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Gong Young-min) announced that two Joseon Dynasty communication relics, the beacons (Bongsu) of the 5th Line Direct Beacon Route?Goheung Mabuksan (currently Maboksan) Beacon Site and Goheung Janggisang (currently Janggye Mountain) Beacon Site?have been designated as national cultural heritage historic sites.

The Cultural Heritage Administration officially designated the ‘5th Line Direct Beacon Goheung Mabuksan Beacon Site’ and the ‘5th Line Direct Beacon Goheung Janggisang Beacon Site’ as national historic sites. These are located in Chadong-ri, Podu-myeon, and Yongjeong-ri, Doyang-eup, respectively, in Goheung-gun.

[Photo by Goheung-gun]

Most beacons on the 5th Line Direct Beacon Route are strategically positioned to effectively monitor invasions by Japanese pirates (Wakou). This 5th Line Direct Beacon Route, managed by Jeolla Left Naval Commander, Jeolla Right Naval Commander, and Chungcheong Naval Commander, starts from Bangdapjin in Yeosu and extends to Namsan (Mokmyeok) Mountain in Seoul.

The 2nd Line Direct Beacon, designated as a historic site last year (2022), was managed by the Joseon army and focused on relaying urgent messages, which differentiates it from the 5th Line Direct Beacon.

This distinction is highly valued academically as it can provide comparative data on the organization of beacon troops by route, beacon operation methods, beacon structures, forms, and characteristics.

The newly designated 5th Line Direct Beacon sites at Mabuksan and Janggisang were established along the southern and western sea routes to alert the Joseon court of frequent Japanese pirate invasions and to minimize damage.

The Annals of the Joseon Dynasty mention the installation of beacons on Namsan in Hanyang in the 5th year of King Sejong’s reign, highlighting the importance of the sea routes in Jeolla and Chungcheong provinces.

The 5th Line Direct Beacon Goheung Mabuksan Beacon Site is the fourth beacon in a straight line starting from Bangdapjin Dolsando Beacon in Yeosu.

It is under the jurisdiction of Balpojin and signals to the northeast to Palyongsan Beacon and to the west to Yujusan and Cheondeungsan Beacons.

The Mabuksan Beacon is located at a vantage point with a panoramic view in all directions, overlooking the sea areas of Yeoja Bay and the Goheung Peninsula, making it a critical observation point.

During the 2022?2023 trial excavations, four fire facilities (chimney structures for lighting fires) were discovered together, which is rare for beacon sites along the Yeonbyeon route, making it valuable data for research on Yeonbyeon beacons.

The 5th Line Direct Beacon Goheung Janggisang Beacon Site is the sixth straight-line beacon starting from Bangdapjin and connects to Jeonilsan Beacon in Jangheung.

It is the westernmost beacon among several in Goheung and was used to send signals to Nokdojin and the Sudeoksan Beacons in Goheung-eup (Heungyang-hyeon government office).

Additionally, it faces Boseong, Jangheung, and Wando counties across Deukryang Bay, including the southwestern coast of the Goheung Peninsula.

There are about 21 beacons in Goheung-gun, including those with different installation periods and undocumented ones such as Yomangdae, including Paljeonsan, Mabuksan, Cheondeungsan, Yujusan, Janggisang, Ganaepo, Gahwa, Sopo, Dagodu, Mukjidu, Sahwarang, Hodong-ri Sudeoksan, Sadeok-ri Sudeoksan?13 beacons?and Yomangdae (Bongraesan, Machisan, Namsan, Umisan, Ugaksan, Sado, Mangsan, Sayangdo Bonghwasan?8 Yomangdae), making it known as a sacred site of beacons, with some beacons still unconfirmed.

A county official stated, “This confirms that the Goheung area, surrounded by the sea, was a strategically important point for national defense during the Joseon Dynasty,” adding, “It is expected to boost the preservation and utilization of beacon relics within the jurisdiction in the future.”