Sancheong and Danseong Hyanggyo Hold Autumn Seokjeon Daeje with Local Confucian Scholars in Attendance

Yoom Younghyun, Sancheong County Governor, and An Cheonwon, County Council Chair, Serve as Chief Ritual Officiants

Honoring the Academic Virtues of Confucius and Ancient Sages

Rites Performed According to Traditional Ceremony Protocols

Confucian scholars in the Sancheong region, Gyeongnam, held the autumn Seokjeon Daeje ceremony to honor the academic virtues and spirit of Confucius and other ancient sages.

Sancheong Hyanggyo and Danseong Hyanggyo each announced that they held the '2026 Autumn Seokjeon Daeje' on the 20th, with local Confucian scholars and officials in attendance.

During the Seokjeon Daeje conducted at Sancheong Hyanggyo, Sancheong County Governor Yoom Younghyun served as the chief ritual officiant, offering the first cup of ritual wine. Next, Lee Dongun, head of the NH Nonghyup Sancheong branch, acted as the second officiant, while Oh Hongtaek, a Confucian scholar, served as the third officiant, each performing their respective rites to honor the sages.

[Photo provided by Sancheong County] Sancheong County Governor Yoo Myunghyun, along with local Confucian scholars and officials, are taking a commemorative photo after holding the ‘2026 Autumn Seokjeon Daeje’ at Sancheong Hyanggyo on the 20th.

At Danseong Hyanggyo, An Cheonwon, chairperson of the Sancheong County Council, acted as the chief ritual officiant. Jeong Taemun and Lee Jaecheon, both Confucian scholars, served as the second and third officiants respectively, proceeding with the ceremony according to traditional protocols.

The Seokjeon Daeje is a traditional Confucian ritual held at Munmyo to commemorate the academic virtues of Confucius and other historical sages. It is held each year at hyanggyo and Sungkyunkwan, both in spring and autumn, and has been designated as an Intangible National Cultural Heritage, ensuring its continued preservation.

Sancheong Hyanggyo and Danseong Hyanggyo also continue the tradition of the Seokjeon Daeje, led by local Confucian scholars, thus maintaining the legacy of traditional ceremonial culture.

Sancheong Hyanggyo served as a space for Confucian education and ancestor rites in the Joseon Dynasty era, and has been designated as a Tangible Cultural Heritage of Gyeongnam Province since 1974.

Danseong Hyanggyo has also played a central role in the region's Confucian culture and education. Its Myeongnyundang building has been recognized for its architectural and historical value and was named a National Treasure in 2020.

Both hyanggyo continue to organize ceremonies and events related to the Seokjeon Daeje and Confucian culture, upholding the culture of hyanggyo and activities to pass on traditional culture led by local Confucian scholars.

Sancheong County Governor Yoom Younghyun stated, "The Seokjeon Daeje is an occasion to reflect on the academic virtues and spirit of our forebears and to continue our traditional culture," adding, "We will strive to ensure that the traditional culture of the region can be passed on to future generations."

The Seokjeon Daeje is more than just a ritual; it is an opportunity to affirm the region's enduring Confucian culture and traditions. There is a need to go beyond merely preserving these longstanding rites by connecting them to programs for youth and residents that foster understanding of the hyanggyo's history and significance and encourage participation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.