Inscriptions in national park rocks preserve Korea's liberation history
After Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule, independence leader Kim Koo visited Seokguram Hermitage in Bukhansan National Park. At this location, where he took refuge before going into exile in Shanghai, he reflected on the past and left a carved inscription reading, "At Seokguram, Kim Koo, who visited this place in the autumn of 1948." His calligraphy, reflecting his longing for Korean…
In national parks across Korea, rock inscriptions serve as enduring reminders of the country's liberation history. One such site is Seokguram Hermitage, nestled within Bukhansan National Park. In the autumn of 1948, independence leader Kim Koo visited this site, where he had previously taken refuge before departing for exile in Shanghai.
As he stood at Seokguram, Kim Koo inscribed the words, "At this place, in the autumn of 1948," onto the massive rock. His calligraphy, a poignant expression of his desire for Korean independence, remains legible to this day.
On the eve of the 81st National Liberation Day, the Korea National Park Service drew attention to the historical significance of rock inscriptions. Located below Cheonwangbong Peak in Jirisan National Park, a 4.2-meter-wide and 1.9-meter-high boulder bears a 392-character inscription. The inscription, composed by late Joseon-era scholar Muk Hui and inscribed in calligraphy by Kwon Ryun, was carved into the rock on July 1, 1924.
In this passage, the inscription invokes the strength of Mount Jiri and the grandeur of Cheonwangbong Peak, envisioning a future free from foreign domination and ushering in a new era of prosperity for Korea.
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