Gokseong Taeansa Jeokinseonsa Pagoda, National Treasure Designation Ceremony

Governor Jo Sangrae:
"A Precious Asset to Be Passed on to Future Generations"

Gokseong County held the "Jeokinseonsa Pagoda National Treasure Promotion Ceremony and Temple Music Concert" on the 15th at Taeansa Temple in Jukgok-myeon, attended by about 700 people including County Governor Sangrae Cho, Cultural Heritage Administration Commissioner Eungcheon Choi, Jeonnam Eastern Regional Headquarters Director Sunseon Joo, National Assembly members Hyangyeop Kwon and Jangsik Shin, Gokseong County Council Chairman Deokgu Kang, Taeansa Temple Chief Monk Gakcho, Hwaeomsa Temple Chief Monk Deokmun, and officials from the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. Photo by Gokseong County

Gokseong County, South Jeolla Province (Governor Jo Sangrae), announced on the 16th that it successfully held the "Celebration Ceremony for the Elevation of the Jeokin Seonsa Stupa to National Treasure Status and Temple Music Concert" at Taeansa Temple in Jukgok-myeon on the 15th.

The event was attended by over 700 people, including Governor Jo Sangrae, Choi Eungcheon, Administrator of the Cultural Heritage Administration, Joo Sunseon, Director of the Eastern Regional Headquarters of South Jeolla Province, National Assembly members Kwon Hyangyeop and Shin Jangshik, Kang Deokgu, Chairman of the Gokseong County Council, Venerable Gakcho, the head monk of Taeansa Temple, Venerable Deokmun, the head monk of Hwaeomsa Temple, and officials from the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism.

The ceremony began with a pre-event performance of Jukdong Nongak, which is Jeollanam-do Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 39. Following this, Choi Eungcheon, Administrator of the Cultural Heritage Administration, presented the "National Treasure Designation Certificate for the Jeokin Seonsa Stupa of Taeansa Temple" to Venerable Gakcho, the head monk of Taeansa Temple.

After the ceremony, a temple music concert was held. The stage featured a variety of performances, including Nongsuro, a contestant from TV Chosun's "Mr. Trot 3," Han Sujeong, a participant from "Miss Trot 3," the martial arts performance group Jimudan, and the fusion traditional music team Hwiyoungcheong, who showcased popular songs, traditional music, martial arts performances, and more.

Governor Jo Sangrae stated, "The elevation of the Jeokin Seonsa Stupa to National Treasure status enhances the cultural pride of Gokseong residents and is a precious asset to be passed on to future generations," adding, "We will continue to do our best in its preservation and management."

Meanwhile, the Jeokin Seonsa Stupa at Taeansa Temple is the stupa of the Unified Silla period monk Hyecheol and is the only relic among Unified Silla stupas whose components from the base to the finial remain undamaged. Designated as a Treasure in 1963, it was elevated to National Treasure status in March this year, becoming the first National Treasure in the Gokseong area in 62 years. The stupa is highly regarded for its overall sense of proportion and artistic beauty, especially the roof stone, which realistically reproduces the eaves curve of traditional Hanok, giving it significant historical and artistic value.