Gourmet Enthusiasts Promote Tourism Resources
Hoping to Awaken Patriotic Spirit Through Food
[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Koo Dae-sun] “If you visit Chilgok-gun, be sure to try Janggun Gukbap!”
On the 1st, Chilgok-gun, Gyeongbuk, is turning ‘Janggun Gukbap,’ which embodies the pain of the Korean War and the patriotic spirit of the late General Baek Seon-yeop, into a tourism resource.
Chilgok-gun is preparing a plan to attract tourists and capture the attention of gourmets by showcasing Janggun Gukbap at the ‘Nakdong River World Peace Cultural Festival’ and the ‘General Baek Seon-yeop Memorial Event’ held in the original downtown area of Waegwan-eup.
The origin of Janggun Gukbap dates back to the ‘Battle of Dabudong’ over 70 years ago, a desperate crisis when 95% of the entire territory was occupied by North Korean forces, and it saved the Republic of Korea.
In August 18, 1950, General Baek allowed replacement soldiers, exhausted from a long march from Yeongcheon to Dongmyeong Elementary School in Chilgok-gun, where the division headquarters was located, to rest for a day instead of moving to their assigned units, and provided them with gukbap made from a slaughtered pig.
Judging that the Republic of Korea Army’s 1st Division headquarters did not have many combat troops, the North Korean army sent a special forces unit to capture General Baek Seon-yeop at dawn the next day and launched a surprise attack. At that moment, the replacement soldiers, who had eaten gukbap and rested sufficiently, engaged in fierce combat with the North Korean forces and led the battle to victory.
Baek Nam-hee, the eldest daughter of the late General Baek Sun-yeop, who visited Jinttaengi Gukbap Restaurant inside Waegwan Market in Chilgok-gun (front left seat), and Kim Jae-wook, the governor of Chilgok-gun (front right seat).
Since that day, in Chilgok-gun, gukbap generously filled with rice and meat has been called Janggun Gukbap.
Janggun Gukbap, imbued with General Baek’s care for his subordinates and his patriotic spirit, has been inherited for over 40 years by ‘Jinttaengi Gukbap’ (formerly Janggun Sundaegukbap) in Waegwan Market, Chilgok-gun.
‘Jinttaengi Gukbap’ has gained nationwide fame as one of Chilgok’s best restaurants through various bloggers and social media. The broth is made by simmering beef bones for 24 hours, resulting in a rich yet clear and mild taste, and true to its legacy as the successor of Janggun Gukbap, each bowl is served generously filled.
Baek Nam-hee (74), the eldest daughter of the late General Baek Seon-yeop, visited Jinttaengi Gukbap on the 31st of last month along with Chilgok-gun Governor Kim Jae-wook, Second Battle of Yeonpyeong War veteran Kwon Ki-hyung (41), and Yoo Ah-jin (13, Sunsim Middle School), who wrote a handwritten letter requesting the search for missing soldiers’ remains.
Although the meaning of gukbap was different for each of them, they continued communication while remembering the patriotic spirit contained in the gukbap.
Mrs. Baek Nam-hee said, “A warm bowl of gukbap reminds me of my father,” and added, “I hope that with the military base in Daegu relocated to Chilgok-gun, many soldiers will awaken their patriotic spirit through Janggun Gukbap.”
Chilgok-gun Governor Kim Jae-wook said, “As economic levels rise, travelers’ primary interest is focused on food,” and “We plan to widely promote food that reflects Chilgok-gun’s regional characteristics and history.”
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