Seongeup Folk Village is located on the east side of the island, where the administrative office of Jeongui stood. Originally established in Goseong-ri, Seonggan-eup in the 10th year of King Taejong (1410) during the Yi Government (ie Joseon Dynasty) Jeongui was moved to the Seongeup Folk Village site in the 5th year of King Sejong (1423). The Jeongui administrative office was constructed on the recommendation of Oh Sik, the official in charge of 'consoling people'.
The original location of the office was too far to the east and caused some administrative difficulties. Being close to the seashore, it was often stuck by typhoons, and its close proximity to Udo Island, a landing point for invading Japanese armies, led to numerous attacks. Consequently, the administrative office was moved to Jinsa-ri, presently Seongeup-ri in Pyoseon-myeon.
The Jeongui fortress, also known as Jinsa Castle, was completed on the 13th of January, 1423, just 5 days after construction began. The compound had a total circumference of 2.986 cheok (905 meters), stood 13 cheok (4 meters) tall, had three gates in the south, east, and west, and contained two wells. By 1702 the Jeongui district had 1,436 households, 140 rice paddies and fields, 442 military personnel, 1,178 horses, and 228 cows -- quite prosperous for the time.
After five centuries, Seongeup lost its political and military power and was incorporated into the new provincial organization. Jeju County was abolished and Seongeup was downgraded to Pyoseon-myeon, the current name of the district.
It was not until the 1980s that the historical importance of Seongeup folk village was recognized, leading to it being declared a 'cultural property'. Seongeup was designated Provincial Folk Material #5 and was promoted to National Folk Asset #188 in June of 1984.
Getting there by bus:
From Jeju City Bus Terminal:
Take an Intercity Bus bound for Dongbug Wangong Road and get off at Seongeup 1-ri. Buses run every 20 minutes between 6:10 and 21:30, and the ride takes about 1 hour.
From Seogwipo City Bus Terminal:
Take an Intercity Bus that runs on Il-ju Road to the east and get off at Seongeup 1-ri. Buses run every 20 minutes between 6:30 and 20:30, and the ride takes about 50 minutes.
Address: Seongeup-ri, Pyoseon-myeon, Seogwipo City, Jeju-do
Seongeup-ri, Pyoseon-myeon, Namjeju-gun, Jeju-do, [699-812], KOREA
Seongeup Folk Village: +82-64-787-1179
Seongeup Folk Village Preservation Committee: +82-64-787-1179 (Korean only)
Travel Info in English, Korean, Japanese, and Chinese: +82-64-787-1330
Admission: Free
Hours: 24 hours
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