Destination briefing
Why travelers stop here
Mori-jae in Geochang is a memorial shrine dedicated to the scholar Jeong On (1569–1641), known by his pen name Donggye. Jeong On succeeded the scholarly lineage of Nammyeong Jo Sik and studied under Hangang Jeong Gu. In 1610 (the 2nd year of King Gwanghaegun's reign), he passed the civil service examination as a jinsa. In 1614, while serving as a busajik, he submitted a memorial arguing that the execution of Grand Prince Yeongchang was unjust and demanded the beheading of Ganghwa Busa Jeong Hang, the perpetrator. This angered King Gwanghaegun, leading to a 10-year exile in Daejeong, Jeju Island.
Mori-jae was built after Jeong On's death by local Confucian scholars to honor his virtue and patriotic loyalty. The main gate, Hwayeopru, is a two-story pavilion with a hipped-and-gabled roof, measuring 3 kan at the front and 2 kan at the sides, supported by pillars made of naturally rounded stones. To prevent the eaves of the ornate hipped-and-gabled roof from sagging, support pillars were erected at the ends of the eaves on all sides.
OTA-ready stop
Built into inbound routes and day-tour planning.
Local context
경상남도 거창군 북상면 강선대길 96-326 (북상면)
Travel fit
Attraction · Gyeongsangnam-do
