Only Silence is Left in Chilgok
By Shim Hyun-chul
Staff Reporter
Silence pervades Chilgok, which was once a bombarded battle-site in North Gyeongsang Province. Surrounded by Mount Yuhak and Mount Gasan, with the Nakdong River running through the area, Chilgok is where the Dabu-dong Battle took place in 1950. The battle is remembered as one of the bloodiest conflicts during the Korean War, lasting 55 days and leaving 27,000 people dead. Traces of the event can be found in the Dabu-dong War Memorial Hall.
Meanwhile, Chilgok is also sacred ground for Catholics as tormented believers fled to Hantijae, an area in the county, as a last refuge in the Joseon era (1392-1910). It was named Hanti Holy Ground after the numerous Catholics who were martyred here during this period
Another must-see is the St. Benedict Waegwan Abbey, which was built in 1909 when five monks from the Ottilien Abbey in Germany came to teach. In 2006, a book of paintings by a leading artist of the mid-Joseon period, Gyeomjae Jeong-seon, was returned from the Ottilien Abbey and is now kept here.
Chilgok is also famous as the site of the movie ``Love So Divine'' (2004) starring Kwon Sang-woo and Ha Ji-won, which was filmed in Gasil Church. This church was constructed in the 1920s in a Neo Romanesque tradition, and was once used as a hospital during the Korean War. Visits must sign up in advance and groups can learn about the history of the church from the chief priest.
The city is also home to the Kusang Literary Memorial, which commemorates poet Ku Sang. He was chosen by the French Literary Association as one of the top 200 literary figures in the world.
For more information about Chilgok, visit www.chilgok.go.kr or call (054) 973-3321.
