Yongin City Completes 14-Year Excavation and Restoration at Seobongsa Temple Site, Spending 6.7 Billion Won

Restoration of temple building remains and retaining walls at Goryeo-era site... Stone pagoda restoration and parking lot planned
Mayor Lee Sang-il: "We will work with citizens to wisely preserve and manage this historic site"

The Seobongsa Temple site in Yongin, dating to the Goryeo Dynasty, has completed 14 years of excavation and restoration work.

Mayor Lee Sang-il and attendees at the completion ceremony cut the commemorative ribbon at the Seobongsa Temple excavation site on the 22nd. Photo provided by Yongin City.

Yongin Special City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Sang-il), said it held a completion ceremony for restoration work at the excavation site on the 22nd. The site is located at the foot of Mount Gwanggyo in Sinbong-dong, Suji-gu.

From January 2012 through September this year, the city spent a total of 6.7 billion won on excavation and restoration work in the area around San 110, Sinbong-dong. After drawing up a comprehensive restoration plan in 2012, the city conducted seven rounds of excavation through 2023. Restoration work, which began in 2023, was completed on September 28. The restored area covers 16,097 square meters and includes the remains of temple buildings and retaining walls.

Mayor Lee Sang-il said, "I am pleased that we have completed restoration work at the Seobongsa Temple excavation site, which embodies the spirit of Hwaeom Buddhism during the Goryeo Dynasty, and are holding a completion ceremony. We will take even better care of the site so that future generations can gain a deeper understanding of the spirit of Hwaeom Buddhism and patriotic Buddhism here."

He added, "We will work with citizens to preserve and manage the site wisely, and build a parking lot as soon as possible so that more people can take walks and explore the area."

Mayor Lee Sang-il celebrates the opening ceremony at the Seobongsa Temple excavation site on the 22nd. Photo provided by Yongin City.

Seobongsa Temple is believed to have been founded in the 11th century, during the early Goryeo Dynasty. In 1407, during the Joseon Dynasty, it was designated a Jaboksa, a temple that prayed for the peace of the nation and the prosperity of the local community.

The site is home to the Treasure-designated Hyeono Guksa Stele at Seobongsa Temple in Yongin. The stele was erected in 1185 by Hyeono Guksa's disciples, with the permission of King Myeongjong of Goryeo, seven years after the monk's death.

The excavations unearthed 994 artifacts, including inscribed roof tiles from the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties; a gilt-bronze crown ornament for a Buddhist statue; bronze ritual vessels, including a bronze ladle; a stone Buddhist statue; and a white porcelain lotus bud. The excavated artifacts are currently on display at the Yongin City Museum.

On the 22nd, Yongin Mayor Lee Sangil listens to an explanation about the Hyeono Guksa Stele at the Seobongsa Temple excavation site. Photo provided by Yongin City.

The city plans to restore a stone pagoda using the excavated pagoda components and build a parking lot for visitors.

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