Pasan Seowon

Pasan Seowon is a Confucian academy that enshrined and held memorial rites for the spirit tablets of Cheongsong Seong Su-chim (1439–1564), a mid-Joseon scholar; his son Ugye Seong Hon (1535–1598); his younger brother Jeolhyogong Seong Su-jong (1465–1579); and Hyuam Baek In-geol (1497–1579), and was a place for educating future generations. It was founded in 1568 (the first year of King Seonjo's reign) at the倡议 of Yulgok Yi I, Hyuam Baek In-geol, and other Confucian scholars in the Paju area, and enshrined Jeokseong-hyeon-gam Seong Su-chim. It received a royal charter (sa-aek) in 1650 (the first year of King Hyojong's reign). Subsequently, Seong Hon was additionally enshrined in 1628 (the 6th year of King Injo's reign), Baek In-geol in 1705 (the 31st year of King Sukjong's reign), and Seong Su-jong in 1785 (the 9th year of King Jeongjo's reign). It was one of the 47 seowon that survived the closure of seowon by Daewongun in the late Joseon period. Because it housed Seong Su-chim, a disciple of Jo Gwang-jo and a renowned calligrapher of the time, and produced Seong Hon, a leading figure of the Giho Sarim (a scholarly faction based in Gyeonggi and Chungcheong provinces), it also became a stronghold of the Seoin (a political faction in Joseon) centered on the Giho Sarim.

The seowon was restored after being burned down during the Japanese invasions of Korea (Imjin Waeran), but was completely destroyed again during the Korean War. In 1966, only the shrine of the seowon was restored. To the left of the shrine is the Charyuldang, a dormitory for ritual participants. There is also the Gyeonghyeondan, built in 1807 (the 7th year of King Sunjo's reign) by local Confucian scholars to honor the virtues of three individuals—Jo Gam, Seong Mun-jun, and Shin Min-il—where a memorial altar was erected and rites are held, and which features a stele inscribed with their pen names. According to excavation results conducted in 2023, Pasan Seowon was constructed in a parallel layout, a special case different from the typical arrangement of general seowon and hyanggyo, which have a multi-layered structure. It once served the functions of enshrining former sages and local education, but now its educational role has ceased, and only a spring memorial rite (Chunhyangje) is held annually. Currently, the surrounding area can be explored, but the shrine is not open to the public at all times. For exact opening days and event details, separate inquiries must be made. Nearby attractions include Yeoncheon Gorangpo-gu History Park, Yeoncheon Horogoru, Yulgok Yi I Historic Site and Hwaseokjeong, Imjingak (Pyeonghwa Nuri Park), Odusan Unification Observatory, Heyri Art Village, and the UNESCO World Heritage site Paju Samneung.