Ijidang was a village school where Jo Heon, a Confucian scholar and leader of a volunteer army who fought invading Japanese forces, taught students in the mid-Joseon period. The school was named by Song Si-yeol, who took “Ijidang” from a famous Confucian phrase that goes: “people look up to great mountains; great behaviors cannot be stopped.” Song also wrote the signboard himself. The school is nestled in a stunning backdrop of hills and the Seohwacheon Stream, which creates a scene of serenity and reflection that Confucian scholars cherished.

jidang Becoming First Treasure of Village School

Ijidang’s two-story pavilion structure was a unique design for its time in the Joseon era and remains a crucial asset for its artistic and architectural values. In 2020, Ijidang became the country’s first village school (seodang) to be designated as Treasure No. 2107

Location | 126 Ibaek-6 gil, Gunbuk-myeon, Okcheon-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
Foundation | Mid-Joseon
Purpose | Education

“Yulgok” Yi I and his disciple Jo Heon were among few Joseon scholars who predicted that Japan would attack the country several years before the Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592. The rest of Joseon’s ruling class didn’t heed their warnings, leaving the dynasty woefully unprepared for the invasion. Years before the war, Jo had even suggested that Joseon launch a pre-emptive strike against Japan to prevent such an invasion. He left his government post and returned to his hometown of Okcheon after the king rejected his proposal.
When Japan went on to attack Korea, Jo formed a volunteer army and fight back against Japanese forces. Jo’s fighters contributed to the recapturing of Cheongjusanseong Fortress, but he died during the battle of Geumsan.
Jo’s remains were buried by his brother Jo Beom in Dori-dong, Okcheon, before the tomb was relocated to the current site in 1636. Set up near the tomb, the Pyochungsa Shrine houses Jo’s portrait and tablet while the Yeongmojae Ritual House offers regular memorial services to honor his spirit.

Tomb of Jo Heon

Location | San 63-1, Donong-ri, Annam-myeon, Okcheon-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
Foundation | Moved in 1636
Purpose | Memorial Service

Pyochungsa Shrine

Location | 71-1 Donong-1 gil, Annam-myeon, Okcheon-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
Foundation | 1734
Purpose | Memorial Service

Yeongmojae Ritual House

Location | 71 Donong-1 gil, Annam-myeon, Okcheon-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
Foundation | 1812
Purpose | Residence

Jo Heon was a straightforward scholar who would even issue outspoken opinions to the king. After studying at the Seonggyungwan National Academy, he passed Joseon’s notoriously competitive state examination at the age of 24 and became a government official. But after seeing much of his proposals and opinions rejected by the king, he quit his government post out of frustration in 1584 and returned to Okcheon and built a study hall named Huyuljeongsa where he taught students and advanced his own studies.
Huyul is his second pen name which means following in footsteps of "Yulgok" Yi I. Later, he formed a volunteer army to fight Japanese forces following the Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592.

Location | 42 Doi-gil, Annae-myeon, Okcheon-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
Foundation | 1588
Purpose | Education, Memorial Service