Gueunsa

Gueunsa, located in Sagok 2-ri, Geunnam-myeon, Cheorwon-gun, is a shrine dedicated to the loyalty of nine scholars (Kim Si-seup, Jo Sang-chi, Bak Do, Bak Jae, Bak Gyu-son, Bak Hyo-son, Bak Cheon-son, Bak In-son, Bak Gye-son) who, in 1455 during the reign of King Danjong, were indignant at Grand Prince Suyang's usurpation of the throne and retreated into the mountains, living out their lives with the principle of not serving two kings. The nine scholars built huts in the mountain valleys of Yukdan-ri, Jamgok-ri, and Sagok-ri in Geunnam-myeon, devoted themselves to encouraging farming, and gathered at Haenghwa-jeong Pavilion by Sokgye-cheon Stream in Sagok-ri to play Go and discuss worldly affairs. Later, as fortunes turned against them, they scattered to various places. In the 9th year of King Injo's reign (1631), scholars including Yi Ji-yeon gathered their resolve and built a shrine, holding memorial services every spring and autumn. In 1865, during the Heungseon Daewongun's order to abolish private academies, it suffered the misfortune of closure, but the shrine was rebuilt in 1921. After being devastated again during the Korean War, it was reconstructed in 1977 with the help of local leaders, and has remained to this day.