Ancient Documents Held by Goheung Muyeolsa Designated as Tangible Cultural Heritage of South Jeolla Province

A Unique Collection of 70 Documents Including the Only Known "Heungyang Gamgokgwan Appointment Certificate" in Korea
Vivid Records of a Joseon Military Family

Goheung County in South Jeolla Province announced on December 26 that the "Ancient Documents Held by Goheung Muyeolsa," which had been preliminarily designated in October, have been officially designated as Tangible Cultural Heritage of South Jeolla Province following a review by the Provincial Cultural Heritage Committee.

The newly designated heritage consists of 70 records from seven individuals spanning five generations of descendants of Jin Museong (1566-1638), a native of Heungyang (now Goheung), who was recognized as a First-Class Meritorious Retainer for Military Service for his achievements in naval battles such as Sacheon, Dangpo, Danghangpo, and Yulpo during the Japanese invasions of Korea. Before passing the military service examination in 1599 (the 32nd year of King Seonjo’s reign), Jin Museong served under Admiral Yi Sun-sin and was responsible for coastal defense in the early stages of the war.

Myeongmunmun Documents - 1706 Calligraphy by Han Ui, a Bonsai Record by Mrs. Ryu. Provided by Goheung County

These ancient documents have drawn academic attention as they provide concrete evidence of the official duties, social status, and daily life of the Yeoyang Jin military family in the late Joseon period after the Japanese invasions. In particular, they also detail the historical background of the temple’s renaming to Muyeolsa in 1882 (the 19th year of King Gojong’s reign) to exclusively enshrine Jin Museong, making them valuable resources for regional historical research.

The most notable document in the designation process is the "Heungyang Gamgokgwan Appointment Certificate" received by Jin Museong’s son, Jin Hupyeong, in 1666. The Gamgokgwan was a special official position responsible for managing state-run ranches during the Joseon Dynasty, and this certificate is the only known example reported to date. It is regarded as highly valuable for academic research on equine administration and the restoration of local history during the Joseon era.

In addition, the collection of 70 documents includes: the Hongpae, a certificate of passing the military service examination; appointment certificates (Gosin) issued by royal command; household registers (Hogudanja) listing family members; and petitions (Sochagyejang) submitted by individuals or groups to government offices. These materials provide detailed accounts of the activities of local figures that are not covered in central government records, making them valuable resources for empirically conveying the history and culture of the Goheung region.

An official from the county’s Department of Culture and Sports stated, "This designation is an opportunity to reaffirm Goheung’s historical status as a region of patriotic loyalty and integrity," adding, "We will continue to work on developing these valuable cultural assets as historical and cultural resources so that their significance is not lost and can be shared with both county residents and the public."