Chungmugong General Lee-Sunshin's Memorial
On entering Daesin Park, you can see a stone monument. It has rather something pious than a simple monument. It consists of three parts: base, oval lotus pedestal on the base and a big stone of 3.3 meter height on the pedestal. Letter plate like the map of Korea are drawn on the stone and the epitaph of Chungmugong Lee-Sunshin Memorial(A stone for remembering and respecting permanently General Lee, Sunshin) is inscribed on the plate. This is so called stone god. No one is ignorant of General Lee-Sunshin and we cannot overestimate his achievements here in Busan. Born in 1545, he passed the military service exam in 1576 and promoted to one of two Generals responsible for the navy of Chunla Province. He built military exploits in defeating Japanese intruder in 1592 and at last promoted to the chief Admiral ruling all the navy of the country, He breathed his last on Nov. 11, in 1595 while commanding the navy at Noryangjin sea war against Japanese navy. After his death, he had the honor of getting high fame called Sunmuildong Duckpungbuwon gun for his war exploits and patriotic noble deeds. His posthumous title Chungmugong tells of the loyalty to the country at risk and military service to protect the country from the invasion of Japan. The king at that time ordered to build a shrine in order to commemorate him as well as give rites to him for his loyalty and patriotism to the country. One of General Lee-Sunshin's achievements is the fourth great victory over Japanese navy and in this sea war General Lee- Sunsin broke up more than 100 Japanese was ships among 470 war ships of the enemy. To the memory of this victory, current street name of Chungmu-Dong and Chungmu-Ro were named after his Posthumous title, Chungmugong after the Restoration of Independence in 1945.
52 Senior citizen members living in Chungmu-Dong agreed to eliminate the Japanese remnants, and they got rid of the stone for filling-up of the Southern port built by Japan instead made the map of our country. And nine characters were inscribed on the letter plate by mayor Bae-Sangkap at that time. Since 1957 when the Stone was built, Senior Citizen Society has performed sacrifice for him in front of his monument on September 9 in lunar calendar. With Chungmu-Dong Intersection enlarged in 1957, his original monument was moved to the campus of Hae Yang High School located at Nambumin 3 Dong, which has remained for 30 years as a good symbol of patriotism for students. And in August 1992, Under the consensus of Seogu citizens of 210,000, the memorial Stone including the base and statues was moved and restored as the original form to Daesin park facing Busan front sea. The Stone God is not a simple memorial but a symbol showing General Lee-Sunsin patriotism to overcome the national crisis as well as cherish the memory of his loyalty and dignity for the nation. We koreans should keep his noble deeds in mind every time we read the inscription. And we also remember patriotism begins by our small steps.
52 Senior citizen members living in Chungmu-Dong agreed to eliminate the Japanese remnants, and they got rid of the stone for filling-up of the Southern port built by Japan instead made the map of our country. And nine characters were inscribed on the letter plate by mayor Bae-Sangkap at that time. Since 1957 when the Stone was built, Senior Citizen Society has performed sacrifice for him in front of his monument on September 9 in lunar calendar. With Chungmu-Dong Intersection enlarged in 1957, his original monument was moved to the campus of Hae Yang High School located at Nambumin 3 Dong, which has remained for 30 years as a good symbol of patriotism for students. And in August 1992, Under the consensus of Seogu citizens of 210,000, the memorial Stone including the base and statues was moved and restored as the original form to Daesin park facing Busan front sea. The Stone God is not a simple memorial but a symbol showing General Lee-Sunsin patriotism to overcome the national crisis as well as cherish the memory of his loyalty and dignity for the nation. We koreans should keep his noble deeds in mind every time we read the inscription. And we also remember patriotism begins by our small steps.
Honorary reporter, Bae-Sunja.
