Jinnamgwan Hall, Steeped in the Legacy of Admiral Yi Sun-sin, Reopens After 10-Year Restoration
- Date
- 2025.06.12 09:11
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- 여수시청
Yeosu City Invests KRW 19.5 Billion to Resolve Structural Safety Issues
Jinnamgwan Hall, a historic landmark in Yeosu that symbolizes Korea's national defense history, will officially reopen to the public on May 30 following a decade-long restoration project.
According to Yeosu City on May 26, the historic building—once used by Admiral Yi Sun-sin as the main headquarters of the Jeolla Left Naval Command—underwent structural reinforcement after suffering from issues such as warping and subsurface erosion due to its age. Restoration work began on December 9, 2015.
Although Jinnamgwan Hall had undergone several repairs in the past due to damage inflicted during the Japanese colonial period, coastal humidity, and termite infestations, this was the first time the entire structure was dismantled for restoration.
The City restored the building's 68 pillars to their original count of 70—the number before damage during the Japanese colonial period—replacing 10 in the process. The 70 foundation stones and over 6,000 wooden components were reused to the greatest extent possible.
Additionally, one of the 16 main crossbeams was replaced, and the roof was retiled with 54,000 traditionally fired tiles, which helped correct the building's tilted columns and warped eaves.
The original name plaque was found to be too damaged to ensure its durability. Following a decision by the National Heritage Repair Technology Committee, a replica has been hung in its place. The original plaque will undergo preservation treatment and is scheduled to be displayed at the Yeosu Museum upon its completion this year.
A city official remarked, "Beginning with the reopening of Jinnamgwan Hall, we will diligently proceed with the Jeolla Jwasuyeong Dongheon Historical and Cultural Park development project and the restoration of the old fortress wall street of the former Jeolla Jwasuyeong, which also served as the first Naval Command of the Three Provinces. We will strive to establish this area as a premier historical and cultural space that embodies Yeosu's identity."
Jinnamgwan Hall is a single-story building with a hip-and-gable roof, measuring 15 bays wide and 5 bays deep with a total floor area of 780 square meters, making it the largest surviving local government office building from that era. It was designated a Treasure in January 1963 and was elevated to the status of National Treasure in April 2001, making it Yeosu's sole National Treasure.
In 1591, just before the outbreak of the Imjin War, Admiral Yi Sun-sin was appointed Commander of the Jeolla Left Naval District and used a pavilion called Jinhaeru as his headquarters. Japanese forces burned down Jinhaeru during the Jeongyu Jaeran (the second invasion in 1597). However, in 1599, Yi Si-eon, the Naval Commander of the Three Provinces, constructed the 75-bay guesthouse, Jinnamgwan Hall, on the former site of Jinhaeru.
The hall was later destroyed by a fire in 1716 during the tenure of Jeolla Left Naval Commander Yi Yeo-ok but was rebuilt two years later by his successor, Yi Je-myeon.
Jinnamgwan Hall, a historic landmark in Yeosu that symbolizes Korea's national defense history, will officially reopen to the public on May 30 following a decade-long restoration project.
According to Yeosu City on May 26, the historic building—once used by Admiral Yi Sun-sin as the main headquarters of the Jeolla Left Naval Command—underwent structural reinforcement after suffering from issues such as warping and subsurface erosion due to its age. Restoration work began on December 9, 2015.
Although Jinnamgwan Hall had undergone several repairs in the past due to damage inflicted during the Japanese colonial period, coastal humidity, and termite infestations, this was the first time the entire structure was dismantled for restoration.
The City restored the building's 68 pillars to their original count of 70—the number before damage during the Japanese colonial period—replacing 10 in the process. The 70 foundation stones and over 6,000 wooden components were reused to the greatest extent possible.
Additionally, one of the 16 main crossbeams was replaced, and the roof was retiled with 54,000 traditionally fired tiles, which helped correct the building's tilted columns and warped eaves.
The original name plaque was found to be too damaged to ensure its durability. Following a decision by the National Heritage Repair Technology Committee, a replica has been hung in its place. The original plaque will undergo preservation treatment and is scheduled to be displayed at the Yeosu Museum upon its completion this year.
A city official remarked, "Beginning with the reopening of Jinnamgwan Hall, we will diligently proceed with the Jeolla Jwasuyeong Dongheon Historical and Cultural Park development project and the restoration of the old fortress wall street of the former Jeolla Jwasuyeong, which also served as the first Naval Command of the Three Provinces. We will strive to establish this area as a premier historical and cultural space that embodies Yeosu's identity."
Jinnamgwan Hall is a single-story building with a hip-and-gable roof, measuring 15 bays wide and 5 bays deep with a total floor area of 780 square meters, making it the largest surviving local government office building from that era. It was designated a Treasure in January 1963 and was elevated to the status of National Treasure in April 2001, making it Yeosu's sole National Treasure.
In 1591, just before the outbreak of the Imjin War, Admiral Yi Sun-sin was appointed Commander of the Jeolla Left Naval District and used a pavilion called Jinhaeru as his headquarters. Japanese forces burned down Jinhaeru during the Jeongyu Jaeran (the second invasion in 1597). However, in 1599, Yi Si-eon, the Naval Commander of the Three Provinces, constructed the 75-bay guesthouse, Jinnamgwan Hall, on the former site of Jinhaeru.
The hall was later destroyed by a fire in 1716 during the tenure of Jeolla Left Naval Commander Yi Yeo-ok but was rebuilt two years later by his successor, Yi Je-myeon.
