Remember the Joseon Dynasty and its urgent need for communication? The East Beacon Mound stands here as a silent witness. It echoes with tales of smoke signals and torchlights.
East Beacon Mound in Seoul served as a vital communication hub. It was part of a sophisticated network. This network relayed critical information across the Korean Peninsula. Imagine, if you will, a nation’s pulse beating through these very stones.
King Taejo established the Namsan Beacon Mound in 1394. He wanted to protect the city from invasions. Castle walls rose on Bugaksan, Inwangsan, Naksan, and Namsan mountains. Five beacons blazed atop Namsan, ready to signal political and military news to the King.
One beacon meant all was normal. Two signaled an enemy sighting. Three meant the enemy approached the border. Four meant invasion. Five meant battle.
East Beacon Mound was the central relay. It received messages from all over the peninsula. At its peak, 673 beacon towers transmitted information to Seoul. News traveled from Busan to Seoul in just 12 hours. That’s about 500 kilometers. It was a rapid messaging method. It was much faster than a horse or messenger.
The beacon system used “bongsu.” “Bong” meant torchlight. “Su” meant smoke. For 500 years, the East Beacon Mound served its purpose. It did so until 1894 after the Gabo Reformation.
Namsan was once called Mokmyeoksan. So, East Beacon Mound was also called “Mokmyeoksan Beacon Mound.” It was also named “Gyeong Beacon Mound” due to its Seoul location.
The original five beacon stations on Namsan are gone. But this one was rebuilt in 1993. It stands near Namsan Palgakjeong Pavilion. It is Seoul Monument No. 14.
A re-enactment occurs here every day except Mondays. It shows how the beacon mound worked in the Joseon Dynasty. The event includes a patrolling ceremony and a ceremony of the guards. At noon, bongsugun sound the bugle and conch horn. Bosingak Belfry rings twelve times. Then, the lighting ceremony begins. Only one beacon is lit. This is as it was in ancient times. Visitors can even take photos with the bongsugun after the event.
The East Beacon Mound represents more than just stones. It embodies a nation’s ingenuity. It shows its commitment to protection. Stand here and feel the weight of history. Envision the urgent signals that once blazed. Consider the lives that depended on this communication network.