Located near the Sejong Government Complex, the main attractions of the Choryeo History Park are the Galsanseowon Confucian Academy and the Choryeo Memorial Hall, which is dedicated to honor “Choryeo” Yi Yu-tae, a prominent scholar of the Giho school of Neo-Confucianism.

Yi studied Neo-Confucianism and “Yehak,” or “Study of Rites,” along with scholars Song Jungil and Song Si-yeol under the instruction of Kim Jang-saeng. He concentrated on educating students after quitting a government post in 1636 when the Joseon Dynasty surrendered to the Qing Dynasty of China after an invasion. He rejoined the government in 1649 to help King Hyojong’s plan for conquering the Qing Dynasty, but eventually concluded that such a move wouldn’t benefit the country’s future. He returned home and focused on studying, developing a reputation as a reformist thinker.

Location | 40, Doum 1-ro, Sejong-si
Foundation | 1694
Purpose | Education and Memorial Service

Im Heon-hoe was a prominent, 19th-century scholar and one of the most influential figures in the Giho school of Neo-Confucianism. After serving in major government posts, Im returned to what’s now the Yeongi-myeon County in Sejong City in 1862 and dedicated the rest of his life to teaching young students.

After his death, Im’s followers built the Sungdeoksa Shrine and Deokseongseowon Confucian Academy in honor of him and six other scholars in the Chungcheong-do provincial region. In current times, the Deokseongseowon Confucian Academy functions as an educational facility for local residents.

Gihaebongsa,Most Notable Letter to King
Yi Yu-tae’s tombstone is inscribed with Gihaebongsa, a long letter he wrote to King Hyojong. The letter, written with more than 40,000 characters, is seen as one of his best writings that shows his progressive and reformist thoughts, including his calls for reducing the dynasty’s harsh class discrimination and embracing a merit-based society.

Location | 734-19 Sejong-ri, Yeongi-myeon, Sejong-si
Foundation | 1885
Purpose | Education and Memorial Service

Myth of Handari Village
According to myth, Kim Jong-seo had a horse he loved like a child. When Kim was brutally killed, the horse picked up one of Kim’s legs with its mouth and galloped day and night to bring it to Kim’s hometown. The horse collapsed and died after arriving at Kim’s village, and villagers buried the leg. The village since then came to be known as “Handari,” which means “one leg.”

One of the most famous historical monuments in Sejong is the tomb of Kim Jong-seo. Kim was a prominent military and government official and loyal servant to Joseon’s King Danjong before he was killed by an order of Prince Suyang, who stole the throne in a coup. Kim’s tomb also has a stone tablet honoring his two sons, who died while trying to stop their father’s death.

When he served King Sejong, the grandfather of Danjong, Kim was credited for leading successful military campaigns and strengthening the boarders against invasions by Jurchen tribes from Manchuria, who often beached Tumen and Yalu rivers. Kim was also a distinguished administrative official who passed Joseon’s notoriously competitive state exam to select government officials with the high marks. He participated in the writing of major documents, including “Goryeosajeolyo” (Essentials of Goryeo History) and “Sejongsillok” (Annals of King Sejong).

Location | San 45, Daegyo-ri, Janggun-myeon, Sejong-si
Foundation | 1764
Purpose | Tomb