Bangchojeong Pavilion, Gimhae

Bangchojeong Pavilion was first built around 1625 by Yi Jeong-bok (1575-1637, pen name: Bangcho). In 1689, the pavilion was rebuilt by Yi Jeong-bok’s grandson Yi Hae (1630-1698) but was lost in a large flood in 1736. In 1788, it was rebuilt by Yi Ui-jo (1727-1805), the 5th-generation descendant of Yi Jeong-bok. Since then, the pavilion has undergone several repairs and renovations. Wonteo Village, where this pavilion is located, is a clan village of the Yeonan Yi Clan. This pavilion was used by the clan as a place to educate their descendants and hold family meetings.

The pavilion consists of an elevated wooden floor enclosed with balustrades and an underfloor-heated room in the center. The room is heated by a fireplace built below it, and its walls can be raised and fastened to the roof to open up the entire space.

In front of the pavilion is a square lotus pond named Choessidam, meaning the “Pond of Lady Choe.” This pond is related to the story of Yi Jeong-bok’s wife, Lady Choe of the Hwasun Choe Clan, and her maid Seogi. Shortly after Lady Choe married Yi Jeong-bok, the Japanese invasions of 1592 broke out. Lady Choe, only 17 years old, was determined that if she were to die in the war, she would do so at her in-laws’ house. So she and her maid Seogi fled together from her home village of Haro, which is around 10 km to the northeast of Sangwon-ri. However, on the way, she was chased by the Japanese invaders, and rather than allowing herself to be captured by the enemy, she committed suicide by drowning herself in this pond. Seogi followed suit and committed suicide as well. It is said that after the war ended, Yi Jeong-bok renovated the pond to its current appearance to honor his late wife’s memory.

To the right of Bangchojeong Pavilion are two pavilions that enshrine commemorative steles. The stele on the left was bestowed by the government in 1632 to commemorate the matrimonial devotion of Lady Choe. In front of the pavilion is a small stone monument that was erected by the Yi family to commemorate the loyalty of the maid Seogi.

Source: Korea Heritage Service signboard ↗ · collected 2026-10-08