Management Motivation and Landscape Interpretation of the Geumcheon-Ggugok in Jinju

Geumcheon-Ggugok, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Jinju, Korea, stands out among Gugok Gardens for its unique management approach centered on coexistence and communal harmony. Unlike other gardens, it was designed by Boosa Seong Yeo-sin to reflect the landscape of Zhuzi's Mui-Gugok while serving as an educational and social framework for the community. Spanning 14 km along the Geumcheon Stream with nine distinct Goks (landscaped areas), the site includes pavilions, libraries, and seowons (Confucian academies) that were integral to Boosa's vision of cultivating talent and fostering village unity through institutionalized practices like Dongyak (village codes). However, rapid urbanization has eroded its original landscape, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts. This study combines literature analysis and field surveys—including repeated documentation of landscape changes—to reveal Geumcheon-Ggugok's historical significance as a rare example of Nammyeong School management in Gyeongsang-do.

Choi, J.-H., Lim, E.-J., & Jung, K.-S. (2023). Management Motivation and Landscape Interpretation of the Geumcheon-Ggugok in Jinju. Journal of People, Plants, and Environment, 26(6), 711–724. https://doi.org/10.11628/ksppe.2023.26.6.711