Anti-appeasement steles, Historical stone monuments near Jongno district, Seoul, South Korea
The Anti-appeasement steles are granite monuments carved with inscriptions and scattered across Seoul and other parts of South Korea. These structures stand as physical markers of resistance, bearing messages that were significant during their era.
A ruler ordered the construction of more than 200 of these monuments at major crossroads throughout the country around 1870. This action was part of a broader response to growing foreign pressure and demands for Korea to open its borders.
The inscriptions speak of national independence and reflect the population's resistance to foreign interference. They served as daily reminders to ordinary people about the importance of maintaining sovereignty.
Around 30 of these monuments survive today at various locations, with notable examples visible in central areas of Seoul. When seeking them out, look in historically significant districts and ask locals for directions, as they are not all easy to spot.
These monuments were deliberately placed at transportation hubs where traveling people would encounter them. This turned them into a moving message that citizens encountered on their daily journeys.
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