[Reportage] Sacheon-ri, Uiseong: Rebuilding "Haengdan" Under the Shade of the Ginkgo Tree

◆ Sacheon-ri: A Village of Scholars and Righteous Army
◆ The Ginkgo Trees Planted by Kwon Sik: Roots of Haengdan
◆ Descendants Lead Restoration
Reviving the Scholarly Spirit
◆ From Cultural Heritage to Regional Asset
◆ Haengdan Today and It

Sacheon-ri, Jeomgok-myeon, Uiseong-gun, North Gyeongsang Province. Although it is a small rural village, the moment you step inside, you sense a completely different atmosphere. The Sajon Garosup, a natural monument that majestically guards the entrance to the village, along with 600-year-old chestnut and juniper trees, stand in serene silence. Yet beneath their roots lies a layered history of scholarly spirit and unwavering loyalty. At the heart of it all stands the "Haengdan."

This is the memorial stone of Administrative Officer Seonsik located in Donggu, Sacheon-ri, Jeomgok, Uiseong-gun.

◆ The Status of Sacheon-ri, Village of Scholars and Righteous Army

Sacheon-ri was established during the early Joseon Dynasty by Kim Jacheom (1369-1454), and has since become a cradle of Yeongnam Confucianism, producing countless notable figures. Scholars who left their mark on the history of Joseon Confucianism, such as Song Eun Kim Gwangsu, Seoae Ryu Seongryong, Cheonsa Kim Jongdeok, Unam Kwon Huisun, Jaragdang Kwon Sugyeong, and Sawadang Kwon Dujeong, all honed their academic pursuits here.

It was also a village of the righteous army. During the Battle to Recapture Yeongcheon Fortress in the Imjin War, three brothers-Kwon Uiguk, Kwon Singuk, and Kwon Chunguk-sacrificed their lives. In addition, as many as 75 people from the village participated in the National Debt Repayment Movement.

Moreover, nearly 90 individuals from Sacheon-ri left behind written collections, earning the village a reputation as the home of scholarship and integrity. Descendants whom the reporter met while walking through the village all agreed: "Even a single tree or stone here carries the breath of scholars."

◆ The Ginkgo Trees Planted by Kwon Sik, the Roots of Haengdan

The origin of Haengdan in Sacheon-ri began with Administrative Officer Kwon Sik (1423-1485), the founding ancestor of the Andong Kwon clan in this region. After refusing King Sejo's summons following the death of King Danjong, he returned to his hometown and planted three ginkgo trees. He intended to emulate Confucius’s grove, leaving a legacy of scholarship and integrity for future generations.

In his poetry, he wrote: "I could not follow the virtuous teachings of Confucius’s Haengdan (杏壇絃誦未曾從), so I dug up the remaining roots and planted them myself (採得遺根手自封). I entrust this to my descendants-care for it with sincerity (寄語雲仍須勿剪), and in the future, you will see it resemble the dignity of Haengdan (佇看他日習儀容)."

However, through wars, fires, and the turmoil of the Korean War, only one of the original three ginkgo trees survived. Fortunately, new shoots sprouted from the old stump and have grown to this day. Standing before the tree, one can feel the dignified spirit that has withstood centuries, preserving both integrity and scholarship.

The restoration site of Haengjeongjeongsa is becoming a symbol of the recovery of the spirit of the Uiseong Confucian scholars, as descendants are collectively raising funds to carry out the Haengdan restoration project.

◆ Descendants Lead Restoration, Reviving the Spirit of Scholarship

After Gicheonrisa, built during the reign of King Cheoljong, was burned down by the Japanese, descendants rebuilt Gicheonjeongsa (Uiseong County Cultural Heritage No. 38) in 1934 to continue ancestral rites. Today, descendants are joining forces to restore Haengdan at Haengjeongjeongsa.

Descendant Kwon Mo said, "Restoring Haengdan is not simply about planting trees. It is about reviving the fading Confucian academic tradition and the spirit of the scholars. This is the only place in the country with a space uniquely named 'Haengdan.' We are committed to this project with a sense of responsibility to connect the academic spirit of our ancestors to the current generation."

The restoration project is also drawing interest from local Confucian scholars and academia. Scholars have evaluated, "The Haengdan of Sacheon-ri is a symbolic heritage that inherits the academic spirit of Confucius in a uniquely Korean context. It is an important cultural asset in the history of Korean Confucianism, extending beyond the local level."

Sajon Garosup and Haengdan

A panoramic view of Haengdan harmonized with the natural monument Sajon Garosup. It is a space where the spirit of the scholar and natural heritage coexist.

◆ From Cultural Heritage to Regional Asset

The Haengdan of Sacheon-ri is more than just a ginkgo tree. It is a symbol of the scholarly spirit and academic identity. At the same time, it holds great potential to develop as a cultural and tourism resource for Uiseong.

▲Academic tourism: Programs linking Haengdan, Gicheonjeongsa, and Sajon Garosup offer immersive experiences of Yeongnam Confucianism. ▲Educational resources: When connected to youth character education and traditional humanities lectures, it becomes a "living textbook." ▲Cultural branding: By branding Haengdan as Uiseong's representative academic and cultural heritage, and incorporating it into regional festivals, academic conferences, and tourism marketing, its competitiveness can be enhanced.

The Haengdan of Sacheon-ri is not only an academic symbol, but also a cultural and tourism asset that can help Uiseong rise again. The scholarly spirit that began under the shade of the ginkgo tree is being revived as the seed of regional development today. Restoring Haengdan is, in effect, writing a new future for Uiseong.

Gicheonjeongsa Exterior Gicheonjeongsa, built in 1934 by descendants. Together with Haengdan, it has preserved the identity of Confucianism in Uiseong.

◆ Haengdan Today, and Its Future

As the reporter stood under the ginkgo tree, the scene of Confucius discussing learning with his disciples in an ancient grove came to mind. Haengdan, more than just a single tree, is a symbol of integrity and scholarship, and the pride of the people of Uiseong that transcends generations.

The Haengdan being restored today by descendants in Sacheon-ri is not a simple reconstruction. It represents the revival of Yeongnam Confucianism and delivers a profound message from Korean scholarly spirit to modern society. The resonance that began in the small village of Sacheon-ri in Uiseong is now prompting all of us, beyond the region, to reconsider the values of integrity and scholarship in our lives today.