Lee Cheol, Jeonnam Provincial Assembly Member, Visits Maritime King Jang Bogo's Japanese Historic Sites

Lee Cheol, Chairman of the Economic, Tourism and Culture Committee of the Jeonnam Provincial Council (Democratic Party, Wando 1), announced on the 23rd that he visited Enryaku-ji Temple in Shiga Prefecture, Japan, and Sekisan Zen-in Temple in Kyoto.

This visit was arranged to explore the historic sites of Jang Bogo, including Enryaku-ji Temple, along with members of the Jang Bogo Research Association, and to commemorate the achievements of Jang Bogo, the Cheonghaejin Admiral.

Lee Cheol, a member of the Jeonnam Provincial Assembly, visited Enryakusa Temple in Shiga Prefecture, Japan, and Sekisansen Temple in Kyoto with members of the Jangbogo Research Association. Photo by Jeonnam Provincial Assembly

Jang Bogo, centered around Cheonghaejin in Wando, led maritime trade not only between Silla, China, and Japan but also with Southeast Asia, India, Persia, and Europe. He is a representative figure of Korea who left a significant legacy in the cultural and material exchanges among Korea, China, and Japan.

Enryaku-ji Temple is the head temple of the Japanese Tendai sect. It is said that Ennin, one of the three great patriarchs of the Japanese Tendai sect, stayed at Hokke-in in Sekisan, China, with the help of Admiral Jang Bogo, engaging in pilgrimage activities.

Wando County established the “Cheonghaejin Admiral Jang Bogo Monument” at Enryaku-ji Temple in December 2001.

Chairman Lee Cheol stated, “Jeonnam is a region with marine resources and a long history and culture, possessing 2,165 islands, which account for 64% of all islands in Korea, and approximately 15,282 km of coastline, about 45% of the country’s total.” He added, “The spirit of Jang Bogo will be the source for promoting regional development policies that utilize the potential of the sea.”