(ED) Every year, many people visit Goesan to escape the heat of the summer. There is wonderful natural environment to make you feel cool in Goesan. Besides, you can enjoy stories about your ancestors and historical sites. For example, you can meet a footmark of Imggeokjeong in Goesan. In this issue, we take a trip to the Goesan, where you can relieve your body in nature.
 Have you ever heard of Hong Myung-hee? He was born in Goesan and is known as the writer of the novel 'Imggeokjeong'. Generally, people just know him as a writer. However, he accomplished various works besides literature. He took part in independence movements and other social movements. Then he engaged in politics after crossing into North Korea.
 Needless to say, his most great achievement is novel 'Imggeokjeong'. He was a outstanding writer and was one of the three talented people representing the Joseon Dynasty period' with Choi Nam-sun and Lee Kwang-su. Hong Myung-hee, who also was a socialist, published serially the novel 'Imggeokjeong' for the Chosun Ilbo in 1928. People in literary art rated 'Imggeokjeong' high, considering it as a historical novel showing the hard and humble life of ordinary class. On the other hand, historians had a bad opinion of 'Imggeokjeong'. They thought that Hong Myung-hee had glorified Imggeokjeoug as a righteous outlaw although Imggeokjeoug was just a thief.
 Goesan-gun Office has restored Hong Myung-hee's birthplace and has been using Imggeokjeoug as a symbol to promote Goesan. Imggeokjeong, a bearded character, is now famous symbol of Goesan. You can also see shops named after Imggeokjeong such as 'Imggeokjeong Restaurant'.
 Hong Myung-hee's birthplace is located near the Goesan-gun Office building. The house was neglected because a person had cooperated with Japan empire once lived there. However, it has been rebuilt perfectly for  Hong Myung-hee through a restoration progress. Sitting on the floor of this house, you may recollect the past.
 There is another event you can enjoy. There is a drawing contest to celebrate the achievements of Kim Hong-do in Goesan. He was a famous artist in the Joseon Dynasty period. The Goesan-gun Office holds the contest to highlight the fact that Kim Hong-do drew a large number of real landscape paintings during his duty in Goesan and to inform many people of  the superb natural surroundings of Goesan. This contest was first held last August of this year and it will be held every year.
 The first contest was held in the Shrine of Uam Song Si-yeol, located within Hwayangdong Valley. Participants went to the shrine and created their own drawing. The shrine, including Hwayang Seowon and Mandongmyo, was standing there as if it iwas a part of Hwayangdong Valley. While participants doing their best, the past and the present is mixed in harmony.
 Ssanggokgugok is a huge valley that is comprised of nine natural objects such as Horongso, Sogeumgang, and Seonnyeotang. Ssanggokgugok has a very beautiful landscape. Therefore, many great scholars, such as Toegye Yi Hwang and Songgang Jeong Cheol, often visited there.
 Sogeumgang boasts the most beautiful landscape in Ssanggokgugok. Its name was originated from Mt. Geumgang because it looks like a part of Mt. Geumgang. Its landscape, which changes every season, and its crystal-clear stream make the name 'Sogeumgang' appropreate.
 There are other places you can enjoy in Goesan. How about escaping from the city and making a plan to travel to Goesan, where you can feel  nature and hear stories of ancestors.