Hongseong (''Hongseong-gun'') is a

county A county is a geographic region of a country used for administrative or other purposes Chambers Dictionary, L. Brookes (ed.), 2005, Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd, Edinburgh in certain modern nations. The term is derived from the Old French ...

South Korea South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and sharing a Korean Demilitarized Zone, land border with North Korea. Its western border is formed ...

, and the capital of South Chungcheong Province. The current governor is Yeoung Lock Lee. The original name of the city is ''Hongju''.

Symbols

* The flag represents the Joyang Gate along with the west coastal line. * The region's flower is the ''

forsythia ''Forsythia'' , is a genus of flowering plants in the olive family Oleaceae. There are about 11 species, mostly native to eastern Asia, but one native to southeastern Europe. ''Forsythia'' – also one of the plant's common names – is ...

'', which symbolizes the warmth and kindness in the hearts of the people of Hongseong. * The region's tree is the ''

zelkova ''Zelkova'' (from Georgian ''dzelkva'', 'stone pillar') is a genus of six species of deciduous trees in the elm family Ulmaceae, native to southern Europe, and southwest and eastern Asia. They vary in size from shrubs (''Z. sicula'') to large ...

'', which is known for providing a lot of shade. This symbolizes the loyalty and patriotism of the people of Hongseong. * The region's bird is the

magpie Magpies are birds of the Corvidae family. Like other members of their family, they are widely considered to be intelligent creatures. The Eurasian magpie, for instance, is thought to rank among the world's most intelligent creatures, and is on ...

, which is also the national bird of Korea. It symbolizes good luck, good news and hope.

Population

Climate

Historical figures

Historical figures born in Hongseong: * Choe Yeong (1316): General during the

Goryeo Dynasty Goryeo (; ) was a Korean kingdom founded in 918, during a time of national division called the Later Three Kingdoms period, that unified and ruled the Korean Peninsula until 1392. Goryeo achieved what has been called a "true national unificat ...

Seong Sammun Seong Sam-mun (1418 — 8 June 1456) was a scholar-official of early Joseon who rose to prominence in the court of King Sejong the Great (r. 1418–1450). He was executed after being implicated in a plot to dethrone King Sejo (r. 1455–1468) and ...

(1418): Notable scholar during the

Joseon Dynasty Joseon (; ; Middle Korean: 됴ᇢ〯션〮 Dyǒw syéon or 됴ᇢ〯션〯 Dyǒw syěon), officially the Great Joseon (; ), was the last dynastic kingdom of Korea, lasting just over 500 years. It was founded by Yi Seong-gye in July 1392 and r ...

* Han Seong-jun (1875): Master of

Korean dance Dance in Korea began with shamanistic early rituals five thousand years ago and now ranges from folk dance to newly created and adopted contemporary dance. Overview Korean traditional dance originated in ancient shamanistic rituals thousands ...

during the Japanese Colonial Era *

Han Yong-un Han Yong-un ( ko, 한용운; August 29, 1879 – June 29, 1944) was a twentieth century Korean Buddhist reformer and poet. This name was his religious name, given by his meditation instructor in 1905, and Manhae (만해) was his pen name; his ...

(1879):

Buddhist Buddhism ( , ), also known as Buddha Dharma and Dharmavinaya (), is an Indian religion or philosophical tradition based on teachings attributed to the Buddha. It originated in northern India as a -movement in the 5th century BCE, and ...

reformer * Kim Jwa-jin (1889): anarcho-communist activist

Cultural assets

In Hongseong, a large statue of Buddha is engraved on a protruding rock carved into the shape of a shrine. Overall, the headpiece is solid and integrity is shown on the face, but the statue is unbalanced from its loss of volume towards the bottom. Site attributed to Choe Yeong: * Gibongsa: in Noeunli, shrine that was reconstructed in 1995; site of a memorial service every fall to comfort General Yeong's soul Sites attributed to

: * Teacher Seong Sammum’s Tomb: in Noeunli, where his mother's family lived and where he was born; previously a lecture hall closed in 1676 *Teacher Seong Sammum Memorial Stone: in Noeunli, preservation house for engraved Yuheobi memorial stone * Noeundan: in Noeunri, site of memorial service performed every October 10; holds Seong Sammun's ancestral tablets Sites attributed to

: * Birthplace of Manhae, Han Yongwun: a memorial in Gyeolseongmyeon * Manhaesa Shrine: in Hongbukmyeon, built to hold his portrait * Statue of Manhae, Han Yongwun: in Namjangli, built to set his work as an indication of national spirit * Manhae, Han Yongwun Culture Experience Hall: in Gyeolseongmyeon, built in 2007 in front of his birthplace to commemorate his spirit and philosophy Sites attributed to Kim Jwajin: * Birthplace of General Kim Jwajin: in Paekya Park in Galsanmyeon, where he was born and raised; restoration started in 1991 * Memorial stone to pay a tribute to the memory of General Kim Jwajin: in Galsanmyeon, describes his achievements; constructed in 1949 * Statue of General Kim Jwajin: in Goamli, articulates his achievement when he wiped out a Japanese army at 31 years of age * Baekyasa: in Galsanmyeon, shrine where service is held during the Baekya festival every October 25

Festivals

* Namdangli Cockle Festival: The coastal topographical features of the Hongseong area, particularly the Cheonsu Bay area, provide abundant egg cockles. Egg cockles taste unique and not easy to eat in city areas. Because of these reasons, the festival gradually became successful. However, an oil spill around Taean made it difficult to host this festival recently. Hongseong did not suffer direct damage from the oil spill. The county took place as the host on Jan 16 of 2008. * Naepo Festival: First begun in 2004, this festival honors the Naepo culture throughout Hongseong in the month of October. It represents the loyalty of the culture of Hongseong people. It includes many competitions and performances while commemorating General Choe Yeong and those who sacrificed their lives in the battle at Hongju Castle. * Festival of General Kim’s victory: This festival is held every October at General Kim Jwa-jin's birthplace and shrine to commemorate his victory in Cheongsanli. The spectacles include

Bongsan Pongsan County is a county in North Hwanghae province, North Korea. Administrative divisions Pongsan county is divided into 1 '' ŭp'' (town), 1 '' rodongjagu'' (workers' district) and 18 '' ri'' (villages): Transport Pongsan county is served ...

Mask dancing,

pungmul ''Pungmul'' (; ) is a Korean folk music tradition that includes drumming, dancing, and singing. Most performances are outside, with dozens of players all in constant motion. ''Pungmul'' is rooted in the ''dure'' (collective labor) farming cultu ...

performance, military school events, makgeolli tasting, and more.

References

External links

Official local government website
{{Authority control Counties of South Chungcheong Province