Goheung Hyanggyo, 44th Jeon Gyo Song Gi-hyun Inauguration Ceremony

New Principal Song Gi-hyun Pledges to Focus Efforts on Enhancing History Education and Hyanggyo Development

On the 22nd, Goheung County, Jeollanam-do (Governor Gong Yeong-min) announced that the inauguration and retirement ceremony of the 43rd Jeon Gyeong-sik and the 44th Song Gi-hyeon Jeongyo was held at the Song Sun-seop Room of the Goheung Cultural Center, attended by about 80 people including Governor Gong Yeong-min and heads of organizations and members.

The Jeongyo was appointed through candidate announcements and a general meeting, and will preside over all events in the role equivalent to a school principal for a two-year term.

From the 5th seat on the left in the front row: 43rd Jeon Gyeongsik, former principal; Gong Yeongmin, Governor of Goheung County; 44th Song Gihyun, former principal [Photo by Goheung County]

The newly inaugurated Jeongyo, Song Gi-hyeon, is from Pungyang-myeon and has been volunteering at Goheung Hyanggyo for 10 years. In his inauguration speech, he stated, “As the person responsible for leading the 600-year-old tradition of Goheung Hyanggyo, I will devote all my capabilities to promoting Confucian studies and the development of Hyanggyo.”

Governor Gong Yeong-min, who attended the event, said, “I hope that Goheung Hyanggyo will grow further with the local community centered on the new Jeongyo Song Gi-hyeon, and that the educational and cultural roles of Hyanggyo will be further strengthened.”

Meanwhile, Goheung Hyanggyo was established in the 23rd year of King Sejong of the Joseon Dynasty (1441), was destroyed during the Japanese invasions of 1592?1598, and restored at its current location in the 26th year of King Sukjong (1700). It was designated as Jeollanam-do Tangible Cultural Property No. 108 in 1985 and is currently managed as such. Currently, there are about 60 members of the Hyanggyo, and five projects including the Seokjeon Daeje, Saujehyangbi, and youth character education are conducted throughout the year with support from the county.

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik hss79@asiae.co.kr

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