Pohang City, Namyangju City, and Gangjin County Sign MOU for 'Dasan Jeong Yak-yong Brand Exchange'

Continuous Collaboration Linked to Dasan Jeong Yak-yong for Regional Economic Revitalization and Cultural Exchange

Mayor Lee Kangdeok: “Win-Win Cooperation in Developing Regionally Unique Cultural Content and Programs”

On the 11th, Pohang City signed a business agreement for the 'Dasan Jeong Yak-yong Brand Exchange' with Namyangju City (Mayor Joo Gwangdeok) and Gangjin County (Governor Kang Jinwon) at the Jeong Yak-yong Historic Site located in Namyangju.

From the left, Lee Gangdeok, Mayor of Pohang, Joo Gwangdeok, Mayor of Namyangju, Kang Jinwon, Governor of Gangjin.

This agreement was promoted to commemorate the historical significance and legacy of Dasan Jeong Yak-yong, as the three cities joined hands to foster regional economic revitalization and cultural exchange through continuous cooperation.

Through this agreement, the three organizations plan to cooperate for regional economic revitalization by jointly developing and promoting cultural and industrial content that highlights the legacy of Dasan Jeong Yak-yong and the unique characteristics of each region, as well as tourism content related to the Dasan Jeong Yak-yong brand.

In addition, they plan to develop cultural exchange programs to increase historical interest in Jeong Yak-yong and attract visitors, and to activate related research and academic exchanges to further strengthen interregional cooperation.

Dasan Jeong Yak-yong was a leading Silhak scholar of the Joseon Dynasty who spent about 220 days in Janggi-myeon, Pohang City, during his 18 years of exile (1801?1818), 17 years in Gangjin-eup and Doam-myeon in Gangjin, and spent his later years in his birthplace of Namyangju.

Janggi-myeon in Pohang was a representative place of exile during the Joseon Dynasty, where the largest number of exiles stayed in a single district. Prominent scholars such as Dasan Jeong Yak-yong and Uam Song Siyeol stayed in exile in Janggi, leaving behind many writings and interacting with local residents.

In particular, works such as Giseongjapsi and Jangginongga, written by Jeong Yak-yong during his exile in Janggi-myeon, Pohang, are highly regarded for vividly depicting the lives and hardships of farmers at the time. Pohang City has been hosting the 'Pohang Janggi Exile Culture Festival' every year, presenting the culture of exile in Janggi in the form of culture and arts.

Additionally, Dasan Chodang in Gangjin is where Jeong Yak-yong wrote many of his works during his exile, including important books such as Mokminsimseo and Gyeongse Yupyo.

The Jeong Yak-yong Historic Site in Namyangju City includes his birthplace, the Dasan Culture Center, and the Dasan Memorial Hall, and the city holds the Dasan Jeong Yak-yong Cultural Festival every year. This year, from the 11th to the 12th, the '38th Dasan Jeong Yak-yong Cultural Festival' is being held at the historic site, offering various experiences of Jeong Yak-yong's life and values.

Mayor Lee Kangdeok said, "Through this business agreement, I hope we can develop tourism content that reflects our unique regional cultures and discover practical programs that all three regions can participate in together, providing an opportunity for mutual growth."