Located in Harie, Uiryeong-eup, Deokgok Seowon is a seowon (Confucian academy) established to commemorate the scholarship and virtue of Toegye Yi Hwang (1501–1570) and enshrine his memorial tablet. Yi Hwang was a mid-Joseon Dynasty government official and scholar. He received the signboard 'Sosu' for Baegundong Seowon, making it the first royal-commissioned seowon. Toegye's scholarship greatly influenced the region and formed the Toegye school of thought, decisively impacting Confucianism in Japan. Deokgok Seowon was built in the 5th year of King Hyojong's reign (1654) and received the 'Deokgok' signboard from the state in the 1st year of King Hyeonjong's reign (1660), becoming a royal-commissioned seowon. However, in the 8th year of King Gojong's reign (1871), the wooden structures were all dismantled due to the seowon abolition order. Later, in the 39th year of King Gojong's reign (1902), Confucian scholars restored the lecture hall and the ornate gate, and in 1992 the shrine hall was rebuilt. The lecture hall is five kan wide and two kan deep, with a hipped-and-gabled roof shaped like the Korean character for eight (paljakjibung) when viewed from the side. Toegye visited Uiryeong because his father-in-law Heo Chan, a jinshi, moved back from Chogok-dong, Yeongcheon-gun, to his birthplace, Garechon, and visited his wife's family here. Toegye visited Garechon and surrounding areas such as Haman and Jinju multiple times, engaging with local Confucians in scholarly exchanges and lectures, greatly contributing to the flourishing of regional Confucian education.
Completed in 2005 as part of the Uiryeongcheon river maintenance project, Uiryeong Cloud Bridge has a total length of 258m and a main tower height of 48m. The red color of the structure is inspired by the red coat worn by General Gwak Jae-woo, the first militia leader of the Imjin War and a native of Uiryeong, said to have been worn in several battles. Additionally, traditional costume colors were borrowed to harmonize with the outstanding scenery around Uiryeongcheon. The 18 white rings on the main tower symbolize the memorial tower for General Gwak Jae-woo and 17 other militia leaders of Chungiksa. Over 400 LED lights are installed along the main tower and walkway, creating a spectacular night view. Nearby, a waterfront park, artificial waterfall, and walking trails are developed. Notably, the walking trail connects Namsan Dullegil and the town center, making it a popular route for residents.
This monument commemorates the achievements of General Gwak Jae-woo (1552–1617), a militia leader during the Imjin War, and the 17 commanders under his command. It was built on April 22, 1972, by donations from the citizens of Uiryeong-gun near Namsancheon at the foot of Namsan in Uiryeong-gun. The tower is 27 meters high; eighteen round rings at the center symbolize Gwak Jae-woo and the 17 commanders, and the two diagonal support pillars on both sides of the rings are shaped like torches. The word 'Uibyeong Tower' is written in Hangul in the middle of the rings, and the tower's name was inscribed in the personal handwriting of the late President Park Chung-hee. On the lower sides of the tower are bas-reliefs showing General Gwak Jae-woo riding a horse commanding battle and scenes of the militia in combat. Next to the Uibyeong Tower is Chungiksa, a shrine enshrining the memorial tablets of Gwak Jae-woo and the seventeen commanders; the shrine was built in December 1978 and consists of buildings such as the shrine, memorial hall, Chung-uigak, Chunghyeonjeong, Chung-uimun, and Hong-uimun. Near the Uibyeong Tower are Namsan Sports Park, the famous Uiryeong Cloud Bridge, and Uiryeong Riverside Park.
Chungiksa is a shrine dedicated to General Gwak Jae-woo, who first raised volunteer soldiers to defend the country during the Imjin War, and the memorial tablets of 17 commanders. To the left of Chungui Gate is the memorial plaque of General Gwak Jae-woo's historic site, and next to the monument is a wooden Dapopaljak-style building called Chunguigak, which stores nameplates inscribed with the posthumous titles and official hometowns of General Gwak Jae-woo and the 17 commanders. Chunguigak is built in the traditional Korean wooden architecture style without using any iron nails. Before heading from Chunguigak to Chungiksa Shrine, on the right stands a roughly 500-year-old quince tree listed as a natural monument of Gyeongsangnam-do, measuring 8.5 meters in height and 3 meters in circumference at chest height. Inside Honguimun Gate is Chungiksa Shrine, where the memorial tablets of General Gwak Jae-woo, the 17 commanders, and countless unnamed volunteer soldiers are enshrined. Every April 22, a memorial ritual is held here, attracting many visitors who offer incense. At the western end after leaving Chungiksa Shrine is the memorial hall, exhibiting relics of General Gwak Jae-woo and the volunteer soldiers, including mounted battle paintings, vividly depicting scenes from the Imjin War. Behind the memorial hall is the Uibyeong Museum, consisting of the archaeological history room and volunteer soldier relic exhibition hall.
The exact time when Uiryeong Hyanggyo was established is uncertain, but it is said that it was originally located in Dongdong, Uiryeong-eup and was moved to its current location by the magistrate Lee Ham in the 15th year of King Seonjo of Joseon (1582). Since then, it has undergone several repairs. The buildings are constructed on a steep slope and are connected by several steep stairs. The Myeongnyundang (study hall) and the East and West dormitories, where studying takes place, are located at the front, while the Daeseongjeon (shrine) is positioned at the rear, arranged in a front school, rear shrine layout. Notably, although there was space on both sides of the main hall to build East and West offices, they were not constructed.
