It served as the command post for General Kim Si-min during the successful defense of Jinju in 1592.
The pavilion's name, Chokseong, translates to 'touching the stars,' reflecting its elevated position above the river.
Nongae's act of defiance is commemorated annually at the Jinju Nongae Festival held in the vicinity.
The building was rebuilt using reinforced concrete in 1960, though it maintains the traditional aesthetic of its predecessors.
The pavilion houses various plaques and calligraphic works by prominent historical figures, documenting local history.
Chokseongnu Pavilion is a historic wooden structure located within the Jinjuseong Fortress complex overlooking the Nam River. Originally constructed in 1365 during the Goryeo Dynasty, it served as a military command post and a site for civil service examinations. The pavilion was destroyed by fire during the Japanese invasions of Korea in 1592 and has undergone multiple reconstructions, with the current iteration dating to 1960. It is designated as Gyeongsangnam-do Tangible Cultural Property No. 66. The site is famously associated with Nongae, a kisaeng who sacrificed her life by leaping into the river with a Japanese general during the Siege of Jinju. The architecture follows traditional Korean wooden pavilion design, featuring open bays and a hipped-and-gabled roof. The pavilion offers expansive views of the Nam River, which were historically significant for monitoring troop movements. It functions as a cultural landmark and a symbol of local patriotic resistance.
From the riverfront path looking up at the pavilion, or from the center of the pavilion looking out toward the Nam River.
Remove your shoes before stepping onto the wooden floor of the pavilion to experience it as intended.
Walk the full length of the fortress wall surrounding the pavilion to see the river from multiple vantage points.
Visit during the Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival to see the river below illuminated by thousands of lanterns.
Walking on the grass in restricted areas or attempting to access the site from the riverbank below rather than the main gate.
Remove shoes before entering the pavilion's wooden deck; maintain a quiet and respectful tone.
