Downtown Goesan County
Goesan County (괴산군; map), seated in North Chungcheong Province’s mountainous east, is known for its rich heritage and natural beauty. Holding just 38,093 residents in its 842 square-kilometer area, this rural area serves as a gateway to various historical sites and natural attractions.
The county’s main population center, Goesan Town (괴산읍; map; Goesan-eup), is home to several noteworthy sites.
Let’s explore!
Goesan Traditional Market
Goesan Traditional Market (괴산전통시장; map), also known as Sanmaki Market was established in 1970. Spanning 750 square meters, it hosts over 200 stalls and shops. It is particularly famous for its 5-day market days, held on the 3rd, 8th, 13th, 18th, 23rd, and 28th of each month, where local farmers and artisans gather to sell produce, household goods, and handmade crafts.
People flock to Goesan Traditional Market to buy Goesan County’s clean chili peppers, a specialty of the region, alongside seasonal mountain vegetables like wild garlic, bracken, and fernbrake.
Visitors can also savor traditional foods such as olgaengi guk (다슬깃국; snail soup), known for its refreshing taste and health benefits.
The Goesan Traditional Market preserves the county’s rich agricultural and culinary traditions, featuring locally produced fermented foods, including gochujang (red pepper paste) and doenjang (soybean paste). Visitors can also find handcrafted items like woven baskets and traditional tools.
During festivals, like the Goesan Red Pepper Festival (괴산고추축제), the market hosts cultural performances and cooking demonstrations. Located in the center of town, the market is a convenient stop for tourists exploring the area.
Hong Beom-sik’s House
Hong Beom-sik’s House (일완홍범식고택; map), is a well-preserved Joseon-era (1392 ~ 1910) yangban (aristocrat) residence. Built in 1730 and now designated as Cultural Property No. 14 of North Chungcheong Province, the house serves as both a historical and educational site.
It belonged to Hong Beom-sik (홍범식; 1871~1910), an anti-Japanese activist who chose to end his life in 1910 in protest against the Japanese annexation of Korea. The house later became the birthplace of the Goesan March 1st Independence Movement in 1919.
The house reflects the architectural style of its era, with its ㄷ-shaped layout, spacious courtyards, and integration with the surrounding landscape.
Visitors can explore the sarangchae (men’s quarters), anchae (main living quarters), and auxiliary buildings. Each reveals the daily life and traditions of Korea’s past.
The house also features exhibits that delve into the life of Hong Beom-sik and the March 1st Independence Movement, exhibits include photographs and records that offer insight into the resistance during the Japanese colonial period.
The house holds a connection to Hong Myung-hee (홍명희), a celebrated Korean writer and activist. His renowned novel, Im Kkeok-jeong (임꺽정), is rooted in themes of social justice and resistance.
Goesan Confucian Academy
Founded during the early Joseon Dynasty (1392 ~ 1910), the Goesan Confucian Academy (괴산향교; map; Goesan Hyanggyo) was relocated to its current location in 1530. Since then, the academy underwent several restorations, including significant work in the late 16th and 17th centuries.
The academy features traditional “front school, back shrine” (전학후묘) architecture, with the Daeseongjeon (Main Shrine) housing ancestral tablets of Confucius and other scholars.
The Myeongnyundang (Lecture Hall) served as a center of education for students, while the surrounding buildings. Although it no longer functions as an educational institution, the academy hosts seasonal ceremonies and offers visitors a glimpse into Korea’s Confucian heritage.
Visitors can participate in hands-on programs such as traditional etiquette lessons, calligraphy, and hanbok (traditional clothing) experiences that promote Korean heritage.
The academy’s seasonal ceremonies, including the Seokjeonje (Confucian memorial service), provide a glimpse into Korea’s spiritual traditions.
