Jeongeup City Designates Nulje and Song Yeonson Sindobi as Local Cultural Heritage

by Noh Junghun

Published 27 Apr.2026 13:43(KST)

Three Wells in Gyodong, Ihwadam, and Naejeong Villages Now Included as Protected Sites

Jeongeup City in North Jeolla Province is strengthening its preservation system for non-designated cultural heritage sites scattered throughout the region. This is part of efforts to systematically manage local assets. On April 20, the city held a Local Cultural Heritage Deliberation Committee meeting and newly designated two sites-Nulje and the Song Yeonson Sindobi-as local cultural heritage. Three wells, located in Gyodong Village, Ihwadam, and Naejeong Village, were also included as protected sites.

Song Yeonson Sindobi. Photo by Jeongeup City

According to the city on April 27, the local cultural heritage system protects sites of significant historical, academic, or scenic value that are not designated as national or municipal/provincial heritage. Among the newly designated sites, Nulje in Gobu-myeon is considered one of the "Gukjung Samho" (Three Major Reservoirs of the Nation), along with Byeokgolje in Gimje and Hwangdeungje in Iksan, which formed the foundation of the Honam region’s rice-producing area. Recent investigations have raised the possibility that the reservoir dates back to before the Three Kingdoms period. However, with parts of the embankment now used as roads and private residences established nearby, there are limitations to a comprehensive study and preservation. The city plans to focus preservation efforts on the confirmed embankment layers and sees this as a foundation for further clarifying its historical value.

The Song Yeonson Sindobi, located in Chilbo-myeon, was erected in 1551 to commemorate the achievements of Song Yeonson (1460-1508), a mentor to King Jungjong of the Joseon Dynasty. It is situated in the Yesan Song clan burial grounds near the UNESCO-listed Museong Seowon and is well-preserved, serving as valuable material for epigraphic research. The depiction of a "jade rabbit pounding rice cakes" engraved on the back of the stele’s head is regarded as an element illustrating the gravestone style of the era. With a clearly recorded construction date and high artistic value, the stele is considered important evidence of the stylistic evolution of early Joseon Dynasty monuments.

Additionally, three wells with the characteristics of local living heritage have been added to the management list. The Gyodong Village well features a pavilion-style stone structure and a circular lower section, making it highly compatible for integrated use with nearby heritage sites such as Gosaburiseong and Gobu Hyanggyo. The Ihwadam well is recognized for its potential as a tourist resource connected to Ssanghwa Tea Street, while the Naejeong Village well is notable for inscriptions that help estimate its construction period.

Jeongeup City designated four wells in 2024 and five in 2025, bringing the total under management to nine. With this latest addition, the scope of living heritage preservation in the region has been further expanded.

Mayor Lee Haksoo stated, "Local cultural heritage and wells are precious assets that embody the history and identity of our community," adding, "We will continue our efforts to discover and systematically preserve these sites so they can be passed on to future generations."