'Je5ro Jikbong' Private Site That Monitored Wako Infiltration

Joseon military and communication facilities that monitored the sea routes infiltrated by the Wae-gu (Japanese pirates) are designated as historic sites. This is the '5th Line Jikbong (Jeonnam Yeosu~Seoul Mokmyeoksan).' On the 22nd, the Cultural Heritage Administration announced that sixteen beacons with high historical and academic value along the related route have been named the '5th Line Jikbong' and will be managed as historic sites.

Elevation View of Jindo Cheomchal Mountain Beacon Site

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Jikbong refers to the beacon fire stations on the five main routes connecting the border regions and Hanyang (Seoul) during the late Joseon period. According to an agreed signaling system, beacon fires used torches at night and smoke during the day to alert the central Ministry of War and local county offices of enemy invasions. The system started from major northern and southern endpoints and converged at Mokmyeoksan in Seoul (currently Namsan).

According to the Jeungbo Munheon Bigo (1908), the central government of late Joseon operated twenty-three Jikbong and Ganbong (intermediate beacon) routes, totaling 622 beacon stations. Among them, the '2nd Line Jikbong,' connecting Busan Eungbong and Seoul Mokmyeoksan 2nd beacon, and the '5th Line Jikbong,' connecting Jeonnam Yeosu Dolsando and Seoul Mokmyeoksan 5th beacon, are located in South Korea. The other three Jikbong routes were established in North Korea.

Bongsu Entire Route

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The '2nd Line Jikbong,' designated as a historic site in January, was mainly operated under the management of the army officer Byeongsa (兵使) for the purpose of urgent communication. In contrast, the '5th Line Jikbong' was managed by the naval officer Susa (水使) and focused on functioning as a fortress. All the beacon stations were strategically positioned to monitor sea routes infiltrated by the Wae-gu. A Cultural Heritage Administration official stated, "Due to functional differences, it is presumed that the organization and operation methods of the beacon troops, as well as the structure, form, and characteristics of the beacons, differed by route. We plan to conduct comparative investigations and research to enhance the overall understanding of the beacon system."

Haenam Dalmasan Bongsu

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The '5th Line Jikbong,' to be managed as a historic site, includes the Yeosu Dolsando beacon, Goheung Mabuksan beacon, Goheung Janggisan beacon, Jangheung Jeonilsan beacon, Haenam Jwagoksan beacon, Haenam Dalmasan beacon, Haenam Gwandusan beacon, Jindo Cheomchalsan beacon, Muan Gorimsan beacon, Yeonggwang Gododo beacon, Buan Jeombangsan beacon, Nonsan Hwanghwadae beacon, Nonsan Noseongsan beacon, Cheonan Daehaksan beacon, Pyeongtaek Goetaegot beacon, and Ganghwa Mangsan beacon. Although most were recognized for their military and communication system value, their designation as cultural heritage was challenging due to spanning multiple local governments. The Cultural Heritage Administration took the lead in conducting related investigations and research to promote their designation as a continuous heritage. They plan to establish a foundation for preservation and management within the institutional framework going forward.

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