Gyeonggi Fire Department Hosts Academic Lecture Honoring Fire Science Pioneer 'Heo Won'

The Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters held an academic lecture on the 13th to commemorate the achievements of Teacher Heo Won. Participants are taking a commemorative photo.

An academic lecture was held to commemorate the achievements and spirit of Heo Won, who introduced the first water gun (水銃器) to Korea 300 years ago and is called a pioneer of fire science.

The Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters announced on the 14th that it held the "Heo Won Academic Lecture" on the 13th at the Gyeonggi Fire History Museum inside the Gyeonggi-do National Safety Experience Center in Osan to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the introduction of the water gun.

Heo Won was a representative astronomer of the mid-Joseon period and the Jejo (提調) of Gwansanggam (觀象監, the government office responsible for astronomy and geography during the Joseon Dynasty). He is a pioneer of fire science who introduced the water gun to Korea for the first time in 1723, 300 years ago.

At the academic lecture, three topics were presented, including "The History of Gyeonggi Firefighting and the Scientific Spirit of Joseon Silhak Scholars" by Park Hwan, a former professor of history at Suwon University, attended by Ahn Gye-il, chairman of the Safety and Administration Committee of the Gyeonggi Provincial Council, relatives of the Yangcheon Heo clan, and relic managers from frontline fire stations.

Joseonho, head of the Gyeonggi Fire and Disaster Headquarters, said, "The water gun introduced by Heo Won after his visit to the Qing Dynasty 300 years ago laid the foundation for today's Korean firefighting to grow to a world-class level." He added, "Going forward, Gyeonggi Fire will strengthen projects honoring the noble spirit and achievements of our ancestors and strive to create various cultural contents that residents can enjoy together."

Earlier, Joseonho discovered Heo Won's tomb in Yeoncheon-gun and held a memorial ceremony on the 5th.

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