Seowon

Seowon are traditional Korean educational institutions established during the Joseon Dynasty, primarily serving as academies for Confucian studies. They functioned as centers for learning, scholarship, and the cultivation of moral virtues, often located near family tombs or villages. Seowon combined classroom instruction with spiritual practices, emphasizing moral development alongside academic achievement. They played a vital role in shaping Korean intellectual and cultural heritage, fostering local community ties, and promoting Confucian values, and some remain heritage sites today reflecting Korea's rich educational and philosophical history.