Sanyang Seowon

Sanyang Seowon is a development of Sodongsa (召東祠), a shrine established to honor Hwang Hui (黃喜), a civil official of the Joseon Dynasty, and was built in 1857 (the 8th year of King Cheoljong's reign). Hwang Hui was appointed as the governor of Gangwon Province in 1423 (the 5th year of King Sejong's reign). When a famine struck the region at that time, he opened the government granary (官庫) to relieve the people. In gratitude for his kindness, the residents of Samcheok piled stones to create a platform and called it 'Sogongdae (召公臺)'. In 1516 (the 11th year of King Jungjong's reign), his 4th-generation descendant Hwang Maeng-heon erected a stele at this site, and after it collapsed due to wind and rain, his 6th-generation descendant Hwang Jeong-sik re-erected it in 1578 (the 11th year of King Seonjo's reign). Later, in 1824 (the 24th year of King Sunjo's reign), Sodongsa was established by local Confucian scholars (士林), and it was subsequently expanded into a seowon (Confucian academy), evolving into the present-day Sanyang Seowon.