The Jongbuk temple is a shrine at the southern foot of Mt Sungam in the Sungam Workers' District, Kyongsong County, North Hamgyong Province. It was built in commemoration of four persons including Yun Kwan who distinguished himself in defending the northern border area of Koryo (918-1392) and Kim Jong So (1390-1453) who was government official of the feudal Joson dynasty.
Yun was appointed commander of Tongbukmyon when foreign aggressors invaded the northeast frontier of Koryo in the 12th century. Leading his army he wisely commanded the battles to repulse the invaders.
Kim was once the governor of Hamgil Province (South and North Hamgyong and Ryanggang provinces at present) and commander of the province's army. He made a contribution to strengthening the defence of the Tuman River basin.
The temple was built for the first time in 1437 at the proposal of Kim Jong So, and named Rodang. Later, it was rebuilt in 1721 and renamed Munsukgongmyo. In 1845 the name changed to Jongbuk Temple. In 1868 it was destroyed owing to invasion of a foreign enemy. In 1901 it was rebuilt on its original site.
The temple is inside the quadrangular wall. Its entrance is called Jongbuk Pavilion. The Yanghyon Hall, a lecture hall, is in the middle of the temple, and the Tongmu (east room) and Somu (west room) flank the front yard. The main hall is behind the Yanghyon Hall. West of the hall is a pavilion housing a monument to the tomb of Yunmunsukgong.
The Jongbuk Pavilion is a two-storey gabled building painted colourfully. The Yanghyon Hall standing on a platform is a gabled house with five bays in front and two bays in side. The left and right rooms of the building have under-floor heating systems. The main hall is a gabled house 7.5 metres in front and 5.7 metres in side. It is also painted colourfully. Portraits of Yunmunsukgong in civil and military uniforms are hanging on the interior front wall of the building, and his name tablet lies before the portraits.
The temple is well preserved as a relic giving valuable data for studying architecture of the feudal Joson dynasty and history of defending the northern part of Korea.
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