Iksan-si Reexamines the Historical Significance of the 'Baekje Royal Capital'

Iksan-si in North Jeolla Province will host an academic event to reaffirm the historical status of the Baekje royal capital.
On the 22nd, Iksan-si announced it will hold a Korea-Japan academic conference under the theme 'Iksan, Discussing the Guanseyin Yingyanji' at the Godo Hannunae Iksan World Heritage Center.
Co-hosted with the Research Institute for the Mahan-Baekje Culture of Wonkwang University, the event commemorates the 10th anniversary of the Archaeological Site in Wanggung-ri and Stone Pagoda at Mireuksa Temple Site, Iksan being listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites, as well as the 30th anniversary of the merger between Iri and Iksan County.
The conference will focus on the 'Guanseyin Yingyanji,' the only historical record documenting Baekje’s relocation of its capital to Iksan, which is preserved at Shoren-in Temple in Kyoto, Japan.
'Guanseyin Yingyanji' was introduced in 1970 by Dairyo Makida, a professor at Kyoto University. The document records King Mu of Baekje’s move to Iksan and the fire at Jeseoksa Temple in 639, making it a crucial source for understanding Iksan’s ancient cultural identity.
Researchers from Korea and Japan will participate in the conference, presenting five topics and engaging in a comprehensive discussion on the literary, Buddhist, and archaeological significance of the Guanseyin Yingyanji.
The presentations will cover: △ Shoren-in Temple and its collections (Inada Natsuko, University of Tokyo Historiographical Institute); △ The surviving Guanseyin Yingyanji in the tradition of ancient Buddhist miracle tales (So Hyun-sook, Wonkwang University); △ A re-examination of the 'Baljeongjo' section of the Guanseyin Yingyanji (Choi Yeon-sik, Dongguk University); △ The Guanseyin Yingyanji and Jeseoksa Temple site in Iksan (Lee Byung-ho, Dongguk University); and △ A scientific review of the lightning strike on the wooden pagoda at Jeseoksa Temple (Oh Hyun-deok, Buyeo National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage).
During the general discussion, Professor Choi Yeon-sik of Dongguk University will serve as moderator, with participation from Kim Eun-ah (Dong-A University), Jeon Yong-ho (Korea Heritage Service), and others, ensuring an active exchange of ideas.
An official from Iksan-si stated, "Through this academic conference, we hope to shed new light on the historical value and authenticity of the Guanseyin Yingyanji, thereby enhancing the historical identity and status of Iksan as the Baekje royal capital. We encourage active interest and participation from citizens."


kang1231@fnnews.com Kang In Reporter