Traces of the Legendary "Eosujeong" Well Confirmed After 600 Years
Dongducheon City Launches Full-scale Restoration Following Archaeological Discovery
Historic Site Linked to King Taejo Yi Seonggye to Be Revived for Citizens and Tourists
Traces confirming the actual existence of "Eosujeong," a legendary well in Saengyeon-dong 612-3, Dongducheon, Gyeonggi Province, have been discovered.
On August 14, Dongducheon City (Mayor Park Hyungdeok) announced that, after demolishing the old Eosugyeong Senior Center building on May 21 and conducting a trial excavation from August 7 to 8, the foundation of an octagonal pavilion and a circular well site were found.
This excavation is the first archaeological confirmation of the foundation of the octagonal pavilion and the well beneath it, both of which existed before 1978, providing the first evidence of the actual Eosujeong.
According to legend, Eosujeong is a historic site where King Taejo Yi Seonggye stopped to quench his thirst on his way to Hamheung after the Prince's Rebellion led by King Taejong Yi Bangwon.
Since then, the area has been called "Eosudong," and the name "Eosu" remains in local place names and the names of community organizations to this day.
During the Joseon Dynasty, Eosujeong served as a "won"-an inn providing lodging and meals for officials and merchants-located along the route connecting Hanyang and Wonsan.
In particular, it was a key stopover for transporting pollack from Wonsan to Hanyang, functioning much like a modern highway rest area for travelers and merchants.
The Eosujeong well was repeatedly closed and rebuilt during the Japanese colonial period and the Korean War. After the war, a philanthropist restored the site by building an octagonal pavilion, but the well was closed again in 1978 and a building was constructed on the site. Since 1996, the site has been used as the Eosugyeong Senior Center.
With the announcement of plans to relocate the senior center in December 2024, the city began a full-scale restoration project. After completing a national heritage impact assessment from June 12 to July 4 this year, a trial excavation was carried out in early August.
Mayor Park Hyungdeok said, "This excavation is an important achievement in confirming the region's history and identity. We will restore the Eosujeong site as close to its original form as possible through detailed excavation and expert consultation, and develop it into a historical and cultural asset for both citizens and tourists to enjoy."
With this discovery, the legendary well where King Taejo Yi Seonggye is said to have stayed over 600 years ago is preparing to return to the community, revived from the pages of history.
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