[Photo from utour.gwangju.go.kr]

Looking into the thoughts and fighting character of Honam (Jeolla provinces) during the 500 years of the Joseon dynasty period, we can see one outstanding man. Go Gyeongmyeong, a poet, decided that he would defeat the Japanese army as soon as news of the invasion first came to his ears in 1592. The 60 year old scholar, who was recognized for his beautiful poetry and great literary style, rose up against the Japanese invaders with an army of farmers, beating a drum and maintaining a spirit of patriotism. After that, young local volunteer troops gathered to him from everywhere. Pochungsa shrine was built to honor him. The shrine is located in Wonsan-dong, Nam-gu (South district), Gwangju City and was built by King Seonjo in 1606 after giving him the name 'Pochung'.

In 1978, with the support of the government, which wanted to develop the shrine into the representative holy place in Honam (Jeolla provinces), a shrine, relics hall, Naesammun (inside three gates), Woesammun (outside three gates) and the Jeonghwa monument were added to the shrine. Pochungsa was the shrine attended to by the King. Jonghoo and Inhoo, the sons of Go Gyeongmyeong, as well as Yu Pangro, An Young and Go Gyeongmyeong himself were enshrined there. The birthplace of Go Gyeongmyeong is Apbo Village, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju City. He passed through Governor of Yeongam-gun, Fifth Rank Senior Officer of Special Counselors, and Governor of Seosan-gun after passing the official examinations at age 20. He returned to his hometown at age 59 after serving as magistrate of Dongnae which was his last government office. He wrote poetry and prose, while studying the older form of Korean verse at places such as Soswaewon and Sigyeongjeong, where the outstanding scholars used to study.