Yeonggwang Jeong Clan Ancestral House in Boseong to Be Designated as National Folk Cultural Heritage

A Honam Traditional House with 400 Years of History
Preserving Traces of Anti-Japanese Resistance and Modern History

'Yeonggwang Jeong Clan Old House' Exterior View

A traditional house with over 400 years of history, built on auspicious land, is set to become a national heritage site.

The National Heritage Administration announced on October 2 that it will designate the 'Yeonggwang Jeong Clan Ancestral House,' located in Bonggang-ri, Hoecheon-myeon, Boseong-gun, South Jeolla Province, as a National Folk Cultural Heritage. The decision will be finalized after a month-long period for collecting public opinions and a review by the Cultural Heritage Committee.

This house, built by Jeong Sonil of the Yeonggwang Jeong clan (1609~?), holds significant historical and social value, preserving traces of anti-Japanese resistance during the Japanese colonial era, modern nationalist movements, and post-liberation ideological incidents.

The architectural style exemplifies the characteristics of traditional houses in the Honam region. The main building and the men's quarters are arranged in a square layout with a courtyard in between. Notably, the main building features a recessed structure with private and storage spaces at the back, reflecting both the local characteristics of Boseong and the social context of the time.

According to geomancy, the site is considered the "head of the turtle" in the auspicious land formation known as "Yeongguha-hae" (a turtle descending into the sea), which led to its nickname "Turtle Pavilion."

Front view of the main building of Yeonggwang Jeong clan's old house

Beyond the western valley lies Samuidang, which served as a seodang (traditional village school) and a guest and ritual hall during the Japanese colonial era. At the entrance stands the Gwangju Lee Clan's Hyoyeolmun, an archway built in 1880 by Honam Confucian scholars under royal order, adding further folk significance.

The landscape management of the Samuidang area, the garden in the courtyard of the men's quarters, and the view of Deungnyang Bay come together to create a unique cultural landscape. There are also clear traces of modern changes incorporated into the traditional landscaping.

An official from the National Heritage Administration stated, "Once designated as a National Folk Cultural Heritage, we plan to strengthen preservation and management in cooperation with local governments and utilize it as a resource for historical and cultural tourism."

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