Goryeo Government Office Retaining Wall and Drainage System Identified in Bokam-ri, Naju

Identified as the Site of Hoejin-hyeon Government Office
A Regional Administrative Center from the Mahan Era Onward

Site of the government office building and retaining wall

A retaining wall and drainage system that divided the space of a Goryeo-era local government office building site have been identified in Bokam-ri, Dasi-myeon, Naju, South Jeolla Province.

The National Naju Institute of Cultural Heritage announced on November 4 that it had discovered these structures during this year's excavation of the area. The institute will present the investigation results at the site at 2:30 p.m. on the same day.

This area was revealed to be the location of the Hoejin-hyeon government office from the Goryeo period last year, when roof tiles inscribed with the phrase "Hoejin-hyeon Gwanch'o" and building remains were unearthed.

This year's investigation uncovered the detailed structure and construction methods of the remains. At the site of Building No. 3, four overlapping building foundations were identified, indicating multiple reconstructions over time.

On the lower level, a rectangular stone masonry structure with edges built from river stones was found. The structure, dug to a depth of about 0.8 meters and surrounded by stones, is believed to have possibly served as a water collection facility or pond.

Interior of rectangular stone masonry structure

To the south of Site No. 3, a new retaining wall and drainage system were discovered. The retaining wall was built in three tiers and extended approximately 44 meters from east to west. A stone drainage channel, about 0.8 meters wide, was also installed alongside it. The institute believes that if the structure is confirmed to extend north-south as well, it will provide important data for research on the scale and spatial layout of Goryeo government offices.

An institute official stated, "The Bokam-ri area has served as a regional administrative center from the era of the Mahan small states in the 4th to 6th centuries, through Baekje's Duhil-hyeon, and into the Unified Silla and Goryeo periods as Hoejin-hyeon. It is expected to become key material for understanding the local administrative system and government office operations of the Goryeo period in the future."