Rite Honoring Loyalty of Predecessor Confucian Scholars Held at Myungtan Seowon in Gongju

Honoring the Virtue and Loyalty of the Lee Myungseong and Lee Myungdeok Brothers

A memorial rite honoring the virtues and loyalty of the scholar brothers Lee Myungseong and Lee Myungdeok, who were originally from Gongju, was held on the 2nd at Chungjeolsa in Myeongtan Seowon, Sasongjeong, Wolsong-dong, Gongju City.

At the ceremony, Gongju Mayor Choi Woncheol served as the chief officiant, with Lee Yongseong, Vice Chairman of the City Council, and Lee Byungin (Director of Joongbu Maeil), Chairman of the Gongju City Journalists Association, serving as the secondary and tertiary officiants, respectively.

Attendees included Lee Woonil, Director of Myeongtan Seowon, Lee Ilju, Director of Gongju Cultural Center, former Mayor Kim Jeongseop, City Council Chairman Im Dalhee, and provincial council members Ko Gwangcheol, Park Kiyoung, and Park Miok.

Director Lee Woonil stated, "I am pleased that we can honor the will of the loyal officials who remained steadfast in their integrity and loyalty to the nation," adding, "We will strive to ensure that their spirit contributes to the development of Gongju and the region."

Lee Myungseong was one of the 72 loyal officials of Dumundong, who maintained his integrity and refused government office after the fall of Goryeo and the founding of Joseon. Lee Myungdeok is known as a distinguished official who served the first four kings in the early Joseon Dynasty.

Myeongtan Seowon received its name in the 18th year of King Seonjo's reign (1585), was destroyed by fire during the Imjin War, and was rebuilt in its current location in 1851 (the 2nd year of King Cheoljong) by the scholars of Gongju. It is currently designated as a cultural heritage site of South Chungcheong Province.

Every year on the 5th day of the 3rd lunar month, descendants and scholars gather to perform the memorial rite.