Dongmyeongseowon Confucian Academy

Located in Josan-ri, this is a Confucian academy from the Joseon Dynasty. In 1628, by the consensus of local Confucian scholars, Chunghyeonsa Shrine was established to honor the loyalty and virtue of Jo In-byeok, and it was named Dongmyeongseowon. Yangnyeonggong Jo In-byeok, despite the earnest request of King Taejo Yi Seong-gye, upheld the principle of not serving two kings (bulsai-gun) and lived in seclusion in Yangyang, educating scholars. After serving the role of enshrining former sages and contributing to local education, it was completely destroyed by war and was moved to Bonghwa, Gyeongsangbuk-do in 1787 for restoration. Subsequently, it went through repeated closures and restorations, and from 1974, a restoration promotion committee was formed, leading to its completion in 1982. The buildings within the grounds include the three-kan Chunghyeonsa Shrine, a six-kan jaesil (ritual house), a gate, and east and west side gates. The shrine, Chunghyeonsa, houses the mortuary tablet of Jo In-byeok. The jaesil is used for various events, gatherings of Confucian scholars, and as lodging for ritual officials during ancestral rites. Every year, a spring memorial rite (chunhyangje) is held here, and at the entrance of the academy, one can see the red hongsal gate and the stele of Yangnyeonggong Jo In-byeok.