Gonjibawi

Gonjiam (昆池岩) is a granite rock consisting of two rocks—one large and one small—separated by about 1 meter. On top of the large rock stands a juniper tree approximately 400 years old, designated as a protected tree. Before the name Gonjiam was used, the rock was said to resemble a cat and was called 'Myobawi' (Cat Rock). During the Japanese invasion of Korea (Imjin War), General Shin Rip, who served as the Magistrate of Hanseong and the Supreme Commander of the Three Provinces, fought against the enemy with insufficient troops at Tangeumdae after setting up a defensive position behind Dalcheon in Chungju. Defeated, he threw himself into the river while fighting the advancing Japanese forces. His body was moved to Gwangju for burial, and afterward, strange occurrences were said to happen at the rock. Anyone who tried to pass by on horseback would find their horse's hooves stuck to the ground, forcing them to dismount and walk. One day, a general passing by visited Shin Rip's grave and scolded him, asking why he troubled passersby. Suddenly, the rock was struck by lightning, splitting in two, and a pond formed beside it. Since then, it has been called Gonjiam (崑池岩), meaning 'rock by the pond at the end of the mountain behind the village.'

(Source: Korea Heritage Service website)