The Site of Samcheok Government Office from the Joseon Dynasty Designated as Historic Site

Samcheok Dohobu Government Office Site... Major Building Remains Confirmed in Excavation
Silla and Goryeo Artifacts and Relics Discovered "Samcheok Political and Administrative Center"

The site of the government office responsible for administration in the Samcheok region during the Joseon Dynasty has been designated as a nationally recognized historic site. It is the 'Samcheok Dohobu Government Office Site' located at 8-2 Seongnae-dong, Samcheok City. The Cultural Heritage Administration announced on the 20th that this site, representing the Dohobu government office ruins in the Samcheok area, holds significant historical and academic value.

The Samcheok Dohobu Government Office Site is adjacent to Jukseoru, a pavilion building that is one of the Eight Scenic Views of the Gwandong region. After Samcheok was promoted to Samcheok-bu in 1393 (the 2nd year of King Taejo) and changed to Samcheok Dohobu in 1413 (the 13th year of King Taejong), the government office where officials conducted administrative affairs existed until 1895 (the 32nd year of King Gojong) when it became Samcheok-gun. According to the 'Yeojidoseo' compiled in the mid-18th century, there were fifty rooms in the guesthouse (Gaksa), ninety-one rooms in the government office (Asa), ten rooms in the Hyangcheong, six rooms in the training office (Hullyeoncheong), and twenty rooms in the military supplies storage (Gungigo).

Most of the buildings were destroyed during the Japanese colonial period. However, during excavations conducted from 2010 to 2016, major remains of buildings such as the guesthouse, the east government office (Dongheon), and the inner quarters (Naea), as well as the site of the south gate of Samcheok Eupseong and the fortress walls, were confirmed. Historical documents, including the painting of Jukseoru by Kim Hong-do in the 'Geumgang Saguncheop', were also used as materials supporting historical facts.

The Cultural Heritage Administration explained, "During the excavation, not only Joseon Dynasty relics but also Silla period pit-house (suhyeol) remains, pottery, and roof tiles, as well as Goryeo period earthen fortifications, roof tiles, and ceramics were discovered," adding, "This suggests that Samcheok was a political, administrative, and cultural center even before the Joseon Dynasty." They further stated, "We will work with Gangwon Province and Samcheok City to establish systematic preservation and management plans."