[Stones and Stories] Another History Hidden in the Shadow of the Summit

208, Jungsan-ri, Sicheon-myeon, Sancheong-gun, Gyeongnam Province. This is the address of Jungbong (中峰). Even this seemingly ordinary name carries a painful story. Jirisan, known as Korea's first national park, is visited by many, but few pass through Jungbong. Jungbong is a place where hikers heading to Daewonsa briefly catch their breath before leaving behind only dust.

If you are not a hiking enthusiast, you might not even know of Jungbong's existence. Interestingly, Jungbong is the second highest peak in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. It boasts an elevation of 1,874 meters, comparable to Jirisan's Cheonwangbong Peak (1,915m). Considering that Seoraksan's Daecheongbong stands at 1,708 meters, you can gauge Jungbong's height.

The reason Jungbong, towering above the clouds, has such a minimal presence despite its grandeur is because of Cheonwangbong. Cheonwangbong, a place imbued with the spirit of the nation, is history itself. On weekends, many people climb Jirisan late at night to witness the Cheonwangbong sunrise, which is said to be visible only after three generations of accumulated virtue. It is a place that requires every ounce of strength, to the point of leg cramps, to reach.

A view of Jirisan Mountain in the clouds, one of the main ridges of Baekdudaegan.

Most who have arduously reached Cheonwangbong descend toward Jungsan-ri or Jangteomok. Although Jungbong is only a 30-minute brisk walk away, only a few hikers undertaking the ‘Hwadae Jongju’ route head there.

Having already climbed the highest peak in the southern Korean Peninsula, have they completely forgotten the existence of the second highest peak? Jungbong still stands there alone today, forgotten. There are people in the world who live in similar circumstances?those whose existence becomes faint, overshadowed by the summit.

The Go (baduk) world is no exception. All attention is focused on the top. Shin Jinseo 9-dan, the world's strongest Go player. According to the Korea Baduk Association, as of the 20th, Shin Jinseo is leading with a winning rate of 0.895, having 60 wins and 7 losses.

Shin Jinseo held the top winning rate not only last year but also in 2021 and 2020. If we compare to mountains, he is like Cheonwangbong. Who are those who remain in second place, unable to surpass Shin Jinseo's record? They are Sim Jaeik 6-dan, Kim Chaeyoung 8-dan, Lee Wonyoung 9-dan, and Ryu Minhyung 8-dan...

For those who are not Go enthusiasts, these names might sound unfamiliar. Sim Jaeik ranked second in the number of wins in 2020, and Kim Chaeyoung ranked second in 2021. Lee Wonyoung recorded the second highest winning rate in 2020, and Ryu Minhyung did so in 2021. At that time, Shin Jinseo held first place in both wins and winning rate.

Born in 1998, Sim Jaeik turned professional in 2017 and was promoted to 6-dan last November. Born in 1996, Kim Chaeyoung is the eldest daughter of Kim Seongrae 4-dan and is famous as part of Korea’s first family with three professional Go players. Lee Wonyoung, born in 1992 and from the Kwon Gap-yong Dojang, was promoted to 9-dan in 2021. Ryu Minhyung, born in 1991, is the brother of professional Go player Ryu Dongwan. He comes from the Jang Su-young Baduk Dojang and was promoted to 8-dan last year.

The commonality among them is that although they have not reached the world’s strongest ranks, they have made meaningful history in domestic competitions. Their footsteps are another history we should remember. A society that only remembers first place is far from a vibrant world.

A world that uncovers and remembers the history overshadowed by the summit. Isn’t that the world we dream of and want to pass on to our children?