Exploring Modoksa and the Choi Ik-hyeon Memorial Hall
▲ Modoksa
Located at the foot of a low mountain in Mokmyeon, Cheongyang-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, Modoksa and the Choi Ik-hyeon Memorial Hall honor the legacy of the late Joseon scholar and independence activist, Choi Ik-hyeon.
▲ Choi Ik-hyeon Memorial Hall
For those interested in history, Choi Ik-hyeon is a name often heard, yet encountering the values he dedicated his life to and the passionate trajectory of his life evokes a profound sense of inspiration.
This site was a key part of my journey in Cheongyang, and I would like to record my time spent here.
▲ Traditional Hanok Building of the Choi Ik-hyeon Memorial Hall
Upon entering, you will find the Choi Ik-hyeon Memorial Hall, with a massive statue of Choi Ik-hyeon on the left. His gaze, fixed ahead, reflects a fierce spirit and deep concern for his country.
▲ Statue of Choi Ik-hyeon
To the right of the statue stands the monument commemorating Kim Gu's return to Korea. Kim Gu, the leader of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea, offered a ritual here at Modoksa to honor Choi Ik-hyeon after returning to his homeland following liberation.
In 2022, a monument was erected to preserve the historical significance of this rite, supported by local community efforts and the Cheongyang County government.
▲ Yeongdang
Yeongdang is where the portrait of Choi Ik-hyeon is enshrined, built in 1989 by the Cheongyang County government. The original portrait was painted by Chae Yong-shin when Choi was 73 years old and is designated as Cultural Heritage Material No. 231 of Chungcheongnam-do.
The current portrait housed in Yeongdang was replicated by Professor Lee Jong-sang of Seoul National University and was enshrined during the building's completion. Every year on April 13, the day he raised the righteous army, a memorial service is held here.
▲ Modoksa
Modoksa is a shrine dedicated to Choi Ik-hyeon, established in 1914 by local Confucian scholars and his descendants to honor his noble ideals.
▲ Myeonam House
Myeonam House, located in Songam-ri, Mokmyeon, Cheongyang-gun, is a traditional hanok from the late Joseon period, where Choi Ik-hyeon, a prominent Confucian scholar and independence leader, resided.
Believed to have been built in 1893, Choi lived here from 1900 for about six years, preparing for scholarly pursuits and independence activities. The house's structure, arranged in a typical 'T' shape with an inner house, outer house, and shrine, is an important cultural heritage showcasing the lifestyle and architectural style of the yangban class at that time.
▲ Gudongjeongsa
In 1900, at the age of 68, Choi moved here from his birthplace in Pocheon, Gyeonggi-do. The house comprises an inner house, outer house, and a shrine dedicated to ancestors.
The outer house was referred to as Gudongjeongsa or Junghwadang, where Choi gathered many patriots to lecture and discuss independence movements, leading to the uprising of the righteous army in 1906.
Choi's legacy, marked by a tragic end, still resonates with the ideals he left behind, and visiting these sites offers both a historical education for children and a space for reflection for solo travelers.
Location: Modoksa, 12 Nabundong-gil, Mokmyeon, Cheongyang-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
Hours: Daily 09:00 - 17:00
Admission: Free
Source :https://blog.naver.com/sinmunman/224282007177
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