Recruitment for History Lecture 'Historical Figures Met on Seoul Streets'

Seoul Museum of History Conducts Educational Lecture Series

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] The Seoul Museum of History announced on the 29th that it will operate the Seoul History Lecture Series for the first half of this year under the theme "Historical Figures Encountered on Seoul Streets." A total of 100 participants will be recruited, and lectures will be held every Friday for 2 hours each, from March 3 to May 12, totaling 10 sessions.

This lecture series was prepared to reflect on the significance of the formation of Seoul's street names and to examine the lives of historical figures related to these street names. Among the streets in Seoul that we are familiar with, and perhaps have just passed by, many are named after historical figures. When naming streets, one of the criteria is to use the pen names or titles of historical figures to cultivate citizens' awareness of history.

As of the end of 2022, 43 streets related to historical figures have been identified among Seoul's main and branch roads. Among these, 22 streets reflect pen names, 4 streets reflect posthumous or temple names, 7 streets use personal names, 3 streets use Buddhist names, jade names, or pen names, 5 streets use royal titles, military titles, or noble ranks, 1 street uses a family name, and 1 street falls into other categories. Among these, Sejong-ro is one of Seoul's representative roads, so much so that it is nicknamed "Road No. 1." This road was called "Gwanghwamun Front Street," "Yukjo Street," or "Yukjo Front" during the Joseon Dynasty, then renamed "Gwanghwamun-tong" in 1914 during the Japanese colonial period. After liberation, it was renamed "Sejong-ro." The reason for the renaming was to use the temple name of Sejong, a representative monarch symbolizing civil governance of Joseon, for the main road in front of Gyeongbokgung Palace.

The groundbreaking ceremony for Dosan Park was held on April 16, 1971. The Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Dosan Memorial Association planned to relocate the tomb of Ahn Chang-ho, which was buried in Manguri Cemetery at the time, to the newly created park, and to build a statue and memorial hall to honor Dosan's legacy. Along with this, Seoul named the road in front of Dosan Park "Dosan-ro."

While Sejong-ro was named based on the historical past of the Joseon Dynasty associated with Gyeongbokgung Palace, Dosan-ro differs in that it was named after the pen name of a great figure in line with the urban development process of Seoul in the 1970s, reflecting the contemporary demands of the era.

This lecture series will cover 15 historical figures whose names are used as street names in Seoul: Muhak-ro for Muhak Daesa, Sambong-ro for Jeong Do-jeon, Sejong-ro for Sejong, Manrijae-ro for Choi Man-ri, Apgujeong-ro for Han Myeong-hoe, Saimdang-ro for Shin Saimdang, Yulgok-ro for Yi I, Seoaero for Ryu Seong-ryong, Chungmuro for Yi Sun-sin, Nangok-ro for Kang Hong-rip, Samhaksaro for the Three Scholars, Gyeomjae-ro for Jeong Seon, Wangsanno for Heo Wi, Dosan-daero for Ahn Chang-ho, and Baekbeom-ro for Kim Gu.

The lectures will be held every Friday from March 3 to May 12, totaling 10 sessions. The lectures are divided into Class A, held from 1 PM to 3 PM, and Class B, held from 3 PM to 5 PM, with 50 participants each, totaling 100 participants.

Recruitment for participants will take place for about three weeks from the 1st to the 22nd of next month. Detailed information about recruitment can be found on the Seoul Museum of History website under "Participate in Seoul History" → "Seoul History Lecture" → "Lecture News." Applications can be submitted online or in person, and if the number of applicants exceeds 100, participants will be selected by lottery. For inquiries, please contact the Seoul Museum of History.

Lee Sang-bae, Director of the Seoul Museum of History, said, "Many street names in Seoul that we commonly pass by are named after historical figures," and added, "I hope this lecture series will provide an opportunity to encounter the fascinating history embedded in Seoul's street names."