Yeoju, a Town Filled with History and Culture

Eastern part of Gyeonggi Province, a region containing important historical facts and featuring environmentally-friendliness
 
Located in the southeast of Gyeonggi Province, Yeoju-gun is noted for its good-quality rice (once presented to a Joseon king), ceramic goods, and melons. It is bordered by Wonju to the east; by Icheon and Gwangju to the west; by Eumseong-gun and Chungju City to the south; and by Yangpyeong-gun to the north. The Namhangang River flows through Yeonju-gun. It is surrounded by the Taebaek, Charyeong, and Gwangju Mountains. Yeoju Plain extends along the Hangang River. Many historic sites and relics are scattered throughout the area.

The tomb of King Sejong and the birthplace of Empress Myeongseon (the wife of Emperor Gojong)

King Sejong, along with Admiral Yi Sun-sin, is one of the most respected figures in the country’s history. Under his reign, the country’s Confucian-based politics and culture blossomed more splendidly than ever. His love for his people is well known, while the invention of Hunminjeongeum, the Korean alphabet, is said to have stemmed from his deep love of the people.

The tomb of King Sejong was the first tomb for a royal couple built during the Joseon Dynasty. When King Sejong passed away in 1450, his body was placed in one of the twin stone chambers previously made in Gwangju at the time of the demise of his wife Queen Soheon four years before. In 1469, the twin tombs were relocated to their present location in Yeoju.

The birthplace of Empress Myeongseong is also located in Yeoju. She pushed ahead with a policy of door-opening and innovation, exercising superb diplomatic skills. She came into conflict with the Japanese, who assassinated her here in 1895. Her birthplace is also the house where she lived until she was 8 years old.

◇ King Sejong is one of the most respected figures in the country’s history. His tomb and that of his wife in Yeoju were the first tombs built for a royal couple during the Joseon Dynasty. ⓒ G-LIFE

The birthplace of Empress Myeongseong was originally built in 1687 as a house for the keeper of the tomb of Min Yu-jung, King Sukjong’s father-in-law. A stone monument remains on the site of the room where the queen used to study in her early days. The memorial hall near the birthplace displays materials related to the queen and some of the relics left behind by her. Gamgodang (the house was originally located in Seoul and relocated here later) was the place where the queen stayed before she married King Gojong.

Another important landmark in Yeoju is Silleuksa Temple. It is located at the southern foot of Mt. Bongmi beside the Yeo River. It began to attract interest because Monk Naong passed away here in 1376 (or the 2nd year of the reign of King U of the Goryeo Dynasty). It was later refurbished following its designation as a temple associated with the tomb of King Sejong and his wife. At present, the temple keeps many important cultural heritage items, including a multi-tiered stone pagoda designated as a treasure.◇ A nightscape of Ipobo Weir, which was selected as the most beautiful dam in the country. Nearby visitor destinations include an ecological Wetland, Mirowon, and wild flower garden. ⓒ G-LIFE

Ipobo, Yeojubo, and Gangcheonbo weirs in the Namhangang River

There are three weirs on the Namhangang River, which flows through Yeoju: Ipobo, which was selected as the most beautiful weir in the country; Yeojubo, which is associated with King Seong; and Gangcheonbo, which was built in the shape of a boat. Popular visitor destinations in the area include Water Plaza, Culture Plaza, Ecological Wetland, Mirowon, Lawn Plaza, Wild Flower Garden (near Ipobo), a ditch reed habitat, an observatory tower, Sejong Plaza, Sejong Hill (near Yeojubu), and Gangcheon Island (with a forest path and a turfed play area) (near Gangcheonbo).◇ Silleuksa Temple, a must-see attraction in Yeoju! The temple is home to many important historic relics. ⓒ G-LIFE

The Geumeunmorae Riverside Park, the country’s largest ecological park, is another famous tourist attraction in Yeoju. There are also a wild flower garden, a park, riverside observatory decks, an open-air square, and a Miniature Model Park (displaying a jar-coffin tomb, Anhakgung Palace, the tomb of King Jangsu of Goguryeo, etc).◇ Empress Myeongseong, a tragic queen who tried to exercise a policy of self-reliant diplomacy for Korea. A memorial hall in Yeoju displays many materials associated with her and various relics left behind by her. ⓒ G-LIFE

Yeoju – aiming to maximize the advantages of rural and urban life styles

Yeoju-gun is striving to become a city (si) that maximizes the merits of both rural and urban life. It still remains one of the four ‘gun’ in Gyeonggi Province due to restrictions on development as an area subject to regulations related to nature conservation and the protection of source water for residents in Seoul. Yeoju-gun has met the legal requirements to be upgraded to a city. Dams were built in Yeoju as part of the state project to restructure and improve the nation’s four major rivers. The work on the Yeoju-Seongnam double-track subway will be started in 2013. These are factors that will work in favor of Yeoju residents’ wish to see Yeoju upgraded to a city. Yeoju-gun is doing its best to regain its former glory as one of the country’s twenty major towns during the Joseon Period and to make a renewed leap forward towards a hopeful future.

http://gnews.gg.go.kr/news/news_detail.asp?number=201207251044547055C059&s_code=C059