Songkangsa is a shrine that houses the memorial tablet of Jung Chul, the most famous poet and minister during the reign of Sunjo (1567-1608), the 14th king
of the Choson Dynasty. Jung
Chol was a leading figure in "Kasa" Literature (old form of Korean verse). He composed such famous verses
as Kwandongbyolgok,
Hunminga, Samiingok, and Sokmiingok. His grave was originally
located in Shinwon-ri, Wondong-myon, Koyang-gun, Kyonggido. In 1665,
the 6th year of the reign of King Hyonjong, Jung Chull's descendent,
Jung Yang, relocated his grave to the present site and built a shrine
in his honor. Designated as Provincial Monument No. 9, this 62.81
square meter shrine measures 3 kans* in the front and 2 kans on the side. The relics exhibition
hall, an octagonal-shaped building of 105.7 square meters, houses
Unpae (silver belt), Okpae (jade belt) and Soganch'inpil
(a personal letter written by Chong ch'ol). * a Kan is a traditional method of measuring the space
between two columns.
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