REGARDLESS OF how descendants assess the culture of past generations, their heritage continues to stand in their everyday lives. The Joseon Dynasty, which governed the Korean Peninsula for approximately 500 years, valued Confucianism and awarded women who kept their integrity and sacrificed their lives in honor of their husbands. A yeol-lyeo-mun is the best representation of this and to this day, only one remains in the streets of Seoul, providing a thoughtful opportunity to reflect on the past. It was bestowed upon a widow named Lee in recognition of her noble spirit when she died longing for her late husband[1]. The monument can be spotted standing by the roadside in Jang-su Park in Yangcheon-gu. The combination of modern apartments and the historic yeol-lyeo-mun creates a unique atmosphere. Although the values that the yeol-lyeo-mun recognize might not be agreeable or seen as worth valuing in contemporary terms, they should be respected as the norms of our ancestors.

[1] Seoul Metropolitan Government