▲ Choi Jong-su, president of Seonggyungwan, holds a ceremony marking the return of Confucian spirit tablets at Bicheondang in Seonggyungwan on Aug. 13, 2026, is seen in this photo provided by Sungkyunkwan. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE)(Yonhap)

 

SEOUL, Aug. 14 (Yonhap) -- As major renovation work on Daeseongjeon, the main shrine of Seonggyungwan, nears completion, the spirit tablets of Confucian sages that were temporarily moved during construction will return to their original places.

 

Seonggyungwan said Wednesday that the spirit tablets of Confucius and 18 Korean sages, including Seol Chong, Choe Chi-won, Yi Hwang and Yi I, along with those of a total of 39 Confucian sages and scholars, will be returned to Daeseongjeon on Aug. 24.

 

The tablets have been temporarily enshrined at Bicheondang since renovation work on Daeseongjeon began in 2023.

 

Ahead of the return procession, Seonggyungwan held a ceremony at Bicheondang on Thursday to mark the tablets' return.

 

The ceremony was held to announce the return of the tablets to Daeseongjeon and mark the start of their restoration, Seonggyungwan said. It also marked the conclusion of the largest-scale renovation of Daeseongjeon in 157 years.

 

About 100 Confucian scholars and other officials attended the ceremony. Seonggyungwan President Choi Jong-su said, "The sincerity of everyone here will reach the heavens," adding, "We will do our utmost to give the spirit tablets a new appearance."

 

The restoration of the tablets will continue through Aug. 22.

 

At 10 a.m. on Aug. 24, a procession carrying the tablets will travel from Bicheondang to Daeseongjeon. The bearers of the tablets and the wooden boxes containing them will be made up of middle-aged and young participants, respectively, to promote the transmission of traditional culture between generations.

 

Seonggyungwan, the Cultural Heritage Administration and Jongno-gu District Office will then jointly hold a completion ceremony for Daeseongjeon.

[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]