Chungnyeolsa (Busan)

Korea (South) / Pusan / Chungryeol-daero, 345

Chungryeolsa is a shrine dedicated to those patriotic Korean fighters who died resisting the Japanese aggressors during the Japanese invasion of Korea(1592-1598). The Japanese invasion was an aggressive war which was designed by Hideyosi Toyotomi, who had unified the feudal domains of Japan, to satisfy his desire for expansion of territory and stability of political regime. At that time, unprepared Korean troops, joined by volunteers, fought and died heroically in battles against the numerically superior Japanese troops armed with advanced matchlook guns.

In 1605 the Songgongsa (shrine) was built in the south gate of Dongnae Fortress by the governor of Dongnae, Yun Hwon, in memory of Song Sang-hyeon.

Later, another noted fighter Jeong Bal, was also enshrined there in 1624 with thr shrine being officially renamed Chungryeolsa, at the suggestion of Lee Min-gu.

In 1652 Chungryeolsa was moved to where it stands today. A lecture hall and several dormitories, called Allakseowon, were built to facilitate the handing down of the ancestors’ loyalty and scholarships. This shrine thus served not only as a shrine itself but also as a lecture hall.

In 1709 an auxiliary shrine was built at the original location of Songgongsa in memory of those who perished together with Governor Song Sang-hyeon and General Jeong Bal. Those enshrined in the auxiliary shrine were Jo Yeong-gyu, No Gae-bang, Mun Deok-gyeom, Yang Jo-han, Song Bong-su, Kim Hui-su, Shin Yeo-ro, Song Baek, and Kim Sang.

In 1736 those to whom the auxiliary shrine was dedicated were also enshrined at Chungryeolsa. In 1772 Yun Heung-shin, the General of Dadae, was enshrined. In addition, a tablet hall was also built in the same year, outside the East Gate, in memory of Geumseom and Aehyang, who were killed after the death of Governor Song Sang-hyeon and General Jeong Bal.

Chungryeolsa has been repaired/restored several times and now sits on a site with a main hall and 15 subsidiary structures. It has memorial tablets for 93 patriots who lost their lives in the Busan area. In the spirit of patriotism, every year on May 25 a memorial ceremony is held.


Chungryeolsa is Busan Tangible Cultural Property #7.


Main Hall

The Main Hall of Chungnyeolsa dedicated to 23 loyal officers who sacrificed their lives in defence of the Busan area during the Japanese Invation of Korea (1592-1599).

It is also dedicated to four groups of unknown soldiers who were killed in action during the naval battle of Busanpo as well as the battles in Dongnae, Busanjin, and Dadaejin.

Memorial tablets of 62 volunteer soldiers are enshrined here, too


Sojuldang (Lecture Hall)

Sojuldang, the Lecture Hall, was built in l652 to educate younger generations about the loyalty and academic achievements of the martyred patriots.

The name of the hall "Sojul" was taken from two initial words of a Chinese poem written by Han Yu, praising the loyalty which Korean patriots had shown during the Japanese Invasion of Korea (1592-1599). Here, “Sojul" means that their patriotism is brighter than the sun and higher than the lofty mountain.


Uiyeolgak

Uiyeolgak is a shrine is dedicated to two brave women who died while resisting Japanese aggressors by throwing roofing tiles on them in the Battle of Dongnae during the Japanese Invasion (1592-1599). Also enshrined here are two other women, Geumseom and Aehyang, the mistresses of Dongnae Magistrate Song Sang-hyeon and Busanjin General eong Bal, who were killed after their men died in the battle.
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   35°12'1"N   129°5'46"E
This article was last modified 5 years ago