Mayor Lee Sang-il of Yongin Emphasizes Historical Significance of Cheoin Castle Victory

[Suwon Ilbo = Reporter Choi Ki-ho] Mayor Lee Sang-il of Yongin Special City attended the "33rd Cheoin Castle Cultural Festival" held on June 1 afternoon at Cheoin Castle in Akok-ri, Nam-sa-eup, Cheoin-gu, commemorating the Battle of Cheoin Castle where forces repelled Mongol invaders attacking Goryeo, and called for inheriting the patriotic spirit of our ancestors.

The Cheoin Castle Cultural Festival, held for the 33rd time to honor Buddhist Monk-Commander Kim Yun-hu and the Cheoin Bugok villagers who fought against Mongol forces during the Goryeo era, was hosted by Yongin Cultural Center, Yongin Buddhist Hermitage Association, and the Cheoin Castle Memorial Project Committee.

The city provided 20 million won in national funds and 60 million won in municipal funds secured through selection in the National Heritage Administration's national heritage patriotic commemoration project competition.

The Battle of Cheoin Castle was fought in 1232 when Mongol forces advancing south to Yongin to threaten Goryeo King Gojong, who had relocated the capital to Ganghwa Island to escape Mongol invasion, were fiercely confronted by Monk-Commander Kim Yun-hu and Bugok villagers, resulting in a great victory.

At that time, Monk-Commander Kim Yun-hu killed the enemy commander Salibi with an arrow, and when the Mongol forces retreated after losing their commander, Goryeo overcame the crisis. Subsequently, the Goryeo royal court elevated Cheoin Bugok to Cheoin County. Cheoin Castle is Gyeonggi Province Historic Site No. 44.

The event was attended by approximately 10,000 people including Mayor Lee Sang-il, Choi Young-chul, director of Yongin Cultural Center, Buddhist Monk Beop-gyeong, chairman of Yongin Buddhist Hermitage Association, Nam Ki-hwa, chairman of Cheoin Castle Memorial Project Committee, and other organizers and citizens.

Mayor Lee stated, "792 years ago, when Goryeo faced a crisis as precarious as eggs stacked on top of each other, our ancestors of Yongin—including Monk-Commander Kim Yun-hu, Buddhists, and Bugok villagers—demonstrated remarkable strength by uniting as one to repel the Mongol forces," and added, "Today's cultural festival is an occasion to express gratitude to our ancestors and to reaffirm our resolve that we will never again permit anyone to invade this nation. I express my gratitude to all those who prepared this festival and to the citizens who actively participated."

Earlier in the morning on June 1, a memorial tea ceremony honoring Monk-Commander Kim Yun-hu was held at Cheoin Castle under the sponsorship of Yongin Buddhist Hermitage Association and Yongin Buddhist Traditional Culture Preservation Society.

The memorial tea ceremony proceeded in order with a memorial performance, threefold refuge ceremony, flower offerings, ritual recitation, and eulogy, and a "Cheoin Victory Commemorative Drawing Contest" for youth was also held, providing time to reflect on the historical significance of the Battle of Cheoin Castle.

Additionally, special performances honoring the patriotism of our ancestors were held at the event, including a Cheoin Castle talk concert, martial arts performances by descendants of Goryeo, and performances by the court music ensemble.

On June 2, various programs will be held throughout the venue including "Stories of Cheoin Castle Told in the Forest," "Cheoin Castle Golden Bell," and "Cheoin Castle Storytelling Contest," as well as diverse performances by the Cheoin Song Festival, Yongin Arts Association, and Yongin Silver Artists Federation.