Analysis of Modern Educational Utilization of Seowon through National Heritage Utilization Projects

This study analyzes the current status of modern educational programs implemented at Seowon (Confucian academies) as part of the National Heritage Utilization Project and examines their potential and limitations from the perspective of the classical model of Seowon education in the Joseon Dynasty. The findings reveal that while many contemporary Seowon have contributed to enhancing public accessibility and lowering the barriers to participation, the core educational values of Seowon－centered on wigi ji hak (self-cultivation through learning) and moral refinement－have been significantly diminished. In response, this paper proposes educational strategies rooted in traditional hakgyu (academy regulations) that emphasize personal cultivation, alongside guidelines for developing programs tailored to general audiences. In particular, it presents a ‘Two-Track’ operational model, combining expert and public courses, to enhance the substance of the education. Furthermore, the study analyzes Gimhae Wolbong Seowon's ‘K-Ganghakhoe’ as a case that relatively well preserves the exemplary elements of Seowon education. Wolbong Seowon organically integrates Ganghak (scholarly discussions), Jeyang (ancestral rites), and the utilization of ancient documents, centering on the thoughts of the enshrined figures, thereby realizing the original functions of the Seowon in a modern context. Ultimately, Seowon education must retain its foundational emphasis on wigi ji hak, while concurrently developing programs that harmonize scholarly depth with public engagement. Through such efforts, Seowon can be revitalized as vibrant sites of humanities education that bridge tradition and modernity.