Seo-gu’s Roads of Remembrance

Narrative

In the Seo-gu District of Gwangju, several roads are named after figures who played key roles in shaping the region’s history and culture. General Jeong Ji (1347-1391), a military official during the late period of the Goryeo dynasty (918-1392), is commemorated through Gyeongyeol-ro Road; he is venerated at Gyeongyeolsa Shrine, and his tomb remains nearby. The names of Nuljae-ro and Hoejae-ro Roads honor two figures from the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910): the scholar Bak Sang (1474-1530) and the official Bak Gwang-ok (1526-1593), who are also venerated at Wolbongseowon Confucian Academy and Byeokjinseowon Confucian Academy, respectively, where they have long been respected by local Confucian scholars. The military leader Jeon Sang-ui (1576-1627) is remembered through Guseong-ro Road, is enshrined at Chungminsa Shrine, and is buried in a tomb nearby. The spirit of Kim Tae-won (1870-1908), a righteous army leader during the late Joseon period, lives on through Jukbong-daero Road and a commemorative statue erected in his honor. These roads in Seo-gu quietly inscribe the lives and values of these individuals into the fabric of the modern city.