Gukcheongsa Temple (Gyeonggi)

Located in Sanseong-ri, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do, Gukcheongsa Temple was founded in 1624 (the 2nd year of King Injo of the Joseon Dynasty) by Great Master Byeokam Gakseong. After being appointed as the Eight Provinces General Commander and Chief Military Commander by King Injo, Great Master Gakseong gathered righteous monk soldiers from across the eight provinces to build the stone fortress on Namhansan Mountain. During this time, seven temples were established, one of which was Gukcheongsa Temple.

Gukcheongsa Temple was a place where the people and righteous monk soldiers were trained to prepare for foreign invasions, and where military weapons, gunpowder, and military provisions were secretly stored. During the Manchu invasion of 1636 (Byeongja Horan), the temple operated the Uimun (also known as West Gate) battle as an elite force composed of righteous monk soldiers and gunners from Gangwon-do, successfully repelling the enemy. It was the temple that managed and operated the fortress area from the right side of Sueojangdae to the left side of Bukjangdae near the North Gate.