Ssangchungsa is a shrine in Doyang (known also as Nokdong by many) on the southwesternmost point of the peninsula that comprises

Goheung Goheung County () is a county in Jeollanam-do Province, South Korea. Naro Space Center The Naro Space Center was completed during 2008 in southern Goheung and is operated by the state-run Korea Aerospace Research Institute. The space center inc ...

County South Korea. The shrine commemorates and is dedicated to the memories of two

Joseon Dynasty Joseon ( ; ; also romanized as ''Chosun''), officially Great Joseon (), was a dynastic kingdom of Korea that existed for 505 years. It was founded by Taejo of Joseon in July 1392 and replaced by the Korean Empire in October 1897. The kingdom w ...

era naval officer war heroes. A memorial worship service is held here every April. Ssangchungsa is designated Monument #128

History

The original shrine dedicated to Yi Dae-won was constructed in 1587 on Nokdo Island but was destroyed during the

Japanese invasions of Korea (1592–1598) The Imjin War () was a series of two Japanese invasions of Korea: an initial invasion in 1592 also individually called the "Imjin War", a brief truce in 1596, and a second invasion in 1597 called the Chŏngyu War (). The conflict ended in 159 ...

. The shrine was subsequently rebuilt and rededicated to both Chung Wun and Yi Dae-won. Ssangchungsa's main worship hall we see today was constructed in 1946 with the lecture hall being added in 1957. The four structures on the grounds presently were renovated and expanded in 1969–1970.

Heroes

Jeong Un

Jeong Un (1543-1592) was a son of a military officer. He passed the Military Examination in 1570 at the age of 28 and became Lieutenant of Geumgapdo (the Right

Jeolla Jeolla Province (, ) was one of the historical Eight Provinces of Korea during the Kingdom of Joseon in southwestern Korea. It consisted of the modern South Korean provinces of North Jeolla, South Jeolla and Gwangju Metropolitan City as wel ...

Navy), and later Magistrate of Ungcheon (the Right Kyungsang Navy). In 1591, Jeong Un was appointed Captain of Nokdo (the Left Jeolla Navy) and fought against the Japanese under the command of Admiral

Yi Sun-sin Yi Sun-sin (; ; April 28, 1545 – December 16, 1598) was a Korean admiral and military general known for his victories against the Japanese navy during the Imjin War in the Joseon period. Yi's courtesy name was Yŏhae (여해), and he was po ...

. Jeong Un died defending the country against the Japanese in the invasion known as the

in 1592. Captain Jeong Un was Admiral Yi Sun-sin's most trusted captain.

Yi Dae-won

Yi Dae-won (1566 - 1587) passed the Military Examination in 1583 at the age of 17 and became Captain of Nokdo in 1586 when he was 20 years old. On 10 February 1587 the next year, about 20 vessels of Japanese pirates led by

Wokou ''Wokou'' ( zh, c=, p=Wōkòu; ; Hepburn romanization, Hepburn: ; ; literal Chinese translation: "dwarf bandits"), which translates to "Japanese pirates", were pirates who raided the coastlines of China and Korea from the 13th century to the 17 ...

(alternate spelling: Waegu), guided by a Korean traitor Sa Hwa Dong, conducted a raid on Sonjuk Island (alternate spelling: Sondae) in what is now Goheung County,

South Jeolla South Jeolla Province (), formerly South Chŏlla Province, also known as Jeonnam (), is a province in the Honam region, South Korea, and the southernmost province in mainland Korea. South Jeolla borders the provinces of North Jeolla to the nor ...

province. Captain Yi Dae-won defeated the pirates and took Wokou prisoner. When the royal court was informed of Yi Dae-won's victory on 10 February from the Governor of Jeolla province, the king terminated Shim Am and appointed Captain Yi as Commander of the Left Jeolla Navy. But Yi Dae-won was killed before he could receive the royal decree ordering his promotion. On 17 February 1587 the Japanese pirates conducted a second raid on Sonjuk Island. Captain Yi, outnumbered by the enemy, called for a rescue. However, one of his superiors, Commander Shim Am (Commander of the Left Jeolla Navy) being jealous of Captain Yi's feats, failed to respond allowing Captain Yi's defeat and subsequent death at the hands of the Japanese pirates. Shim Am was executed on 4 April 1587 as a result of this failure to respond.

Gallery

Image:Korea-Doyang-Ssangchungsa-04.jpg, Ssangchungsa Main Worship Hall Image:Korea-Doyang-Ssangchungsa-03.jpg, Ssangchungsa inside Main Worship Hall Image:Korea-Goheung-Ssangchungsa-02.jpg, Ssangchungsa inner gate Image:Korea-Goheung-Ssangchungsa-01.jpg, Ssangchungsa outer gate entrance

References

{{Reflist

External links

Cultural Properties AdministrationSightseeing in Goheung
Buildings and structures in South Jeolla Province Monuments and memorials in South Korea Religious buildings and structures in South Korea Tourist attractions in South Jeolla Province