Jeongeup City in Jeollabuk-do is taking steps to preserve wells, which are symbolic of the region's name.
On the 20th, the city announced that it will undertake the preservation and management of "wells," the origin of the regional names "Wumul Jeong" and "Goeul Eup."
Jeongeup City is taking steps to preserve wells, which are symbols of the local area name. [Photo by Jeongeup City]
With the intention of managing and preserving wells, which symbolize the regional name, the city enacted the "Jeongeup City Well Preservation and Management Ordinance" in September 2023, and confirmed through a comprehensive survey earlier this year that there are over 300 wells.
After initially selecting 30 wells, on the 16th, the City Local Cultural Heritage Deliberation Committee designated four wells as city-managed wells: Jeonghae Village, Deokcheon Gajeong Village, Sanoe Yeouchi Binsiam, and Sanoe Oemok Village (also known as Seonnyeo Yaksoo).
The well in Jeonghae Village means "Siamba Sea" and is the site where the Jeongeupsa Cultural Festival’s water collection ritual is held. The well in Deokcheon Gajeong Village is known as the well from which the Donghak Peasant Revolution soldiers drank.
Sanoe Yeouchi Binsiam is recognized as the source of the Dongjin River, and the well in Sanoe Oemok Village, widely known as "Seonnyeo Yaksoo," is associated with the legend that fairies came down to bathe there, and its medicinal properties have been highly valued.
Additionally, the value of the Sotdae (traditional wooden pole) erected in the neighboring Naemok Village was also acknowledged.
A city official stated, "Jeongeup is the only city or county nationwide whose regional name includes the character for well (정, Jeong), and we will preserve this symbol and promote the history and characteristics of the wells."
Jeongeup = Kim Jaegil, Honam Reporting Headquarters, Asia Economy baekok@asiae.co.kr
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
