Farewell to Yewonjeong, the Place Where Youth Once Lingered

Amid the achromatic buildings, Yewonjeong, where greenery stays throughout the year,  has long etched its presence into the footsteps of those who walk across campus as a scenic spot of beauty. Alongside Mirinaegol and the Kwai River Bridge, Yewonjeong is regarded as one of Pusan National University (PNU)’s landmarks. More than just a resting place, it has served as a versatile space that has hosted various campus events such as the College of Social Sciences festival “Moonchang-Je”, as well as demonstrations, classes, and club activities.

Having been part of the PNU community for over forty years, Yewonjeong will be demolished between February and March 2026 due to the reconstruction of the Social Sciences Building. A new space will replace it without preserving its original form as it can be seen in a report by “Channel PNU” on September 26th, 2025. “Channel PNU” looked back on the history of Yewonjeong, which was built together with the current Social Sciences Building in December 1979, and listened to the stories of members of PNU who share memories with this place.

In its early days, Yewonjeong looked completely different from how it appears today. According to a photograph of the architectural rendering of the College of Liberal Arts Building, which was then called the Social Sciences Building, the area was simply a wide, flat field surrounded by flower beds and trees. Records show that it was used not as a resting space like today, but as a small playground where students played baseball or kicked balls. Dean Jang Deok-Hyeon (Prof. of Library, Archive and Information Studies, PNU) recalled, “It looked like the lawn in front of the University Museum or the one on Nuknukhan-Teo (Nuk-Teo).”

Yewonjeong began to take on its current circular form in 1985. Starting with the renovation of the lawn in front of the Social Sciences Building on January 7th, 1985, the area was later developed into a resting space with walkways and access paths, forming most of the facilities that make up Yewonjeong today as reported by “PNU Newspaper” on February 23rd, 1985. 

In the place where the circular lawn now lies, there once was a pond-shaped fountain. Choi Song-Sik (Prof. of Social Welfare, PNU), an alumnus of the class of 1980, recalled, “We used to buy drinks from outside, drink around the Yewonjeong fountain, and talk together. I still remember how some of my close friends ended up falling into the fountain.” Dean Jang, who attended PNU around the same time, also remembered, “The water in the fountain was shallow, only up to our knees, and during breaks, someone would always end up in the water as we played around.”

Yewonjeong was completed in its current form on March 10th, 1988, when the former pond-shaped fountain was removed and the area was turned back into a lawn as documented by “PNU Newspaper” on March 28th, 1988. Throughout the 1990s, the College of Social Sciences and its student council worked together to maintain the grass, shaping it into the circular lawn seen today. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a net and lights were installed in the pergola, solving the discomfort of falling dirt and insects, which made the space more pleasant. In 2022, Saebyeokbyeoldang was completed on the second floor of Saebyeokbeol Library, and a sky bridge was built to connect it with Yewonjeong.

Meanwhile, the name “Yewonjeong” was given relatively recently. According to “Pusan National University News” No. 671 on PNU’s official website, the name “Yewonjeong” was chosen through an on-campus naming contest held around February 2009. In the same contest, the pine tree in front of the Social Sciences Building was also named “Moonchangsol,” and on February 21st, 2009, stone monuments honoring the meanings of both names were erected and have been maintained to this day. Before the name “Yewonjeong” was adopted, the area had been called various names such as “Sajan(An abbreviation referring to the College of Social Sciences' Lawn in Korean),” “the lawn in front of the College of Social Sciences,” “the Social Sciences Garden,” and, in its earliest days, “Adenai Square.” The name “Yewonjeong,” submitted by a staff member of the College of Social Sciences at the time, signifies “the place where “Ye (礼), the foundation of human virtue, originates.”

■A Space for Student Expression

During the democratization movement, Yewonjeong served as a major gathering place for student protests and rallies on campus. Since students from the College of Social Sciences mainly led the movement, Yewonjeong naturally became the venue for political rallies and guest lectures related to affairs at the time. Prof. Choi recalled, “The demonstrators used to gather at Yewonjeong and then march out of campus through Nuk-Teo. Yewonjeong was the starting point and the symbol of PNU’s student democratization movement.” He also remembered, “To avoid being arrested by the police stationed on campus, some students climbed up trees, which have since been removed, and held on until the trees were set on fire. A few of those trees ended up burned.”

Even after the democratization movement, Yewonjeong continued to serve as a space for students to express their political opinions. A recent example was the “Varsity Jumper Protest” held in April 2024, which condemned the 56th General Students’ Association President. From April 3rd for two days, 64 varsity jackets representing 21 departments from 10 colleges were displayed at Yewonjeong (reported by “Channel PNU” on  April 5th, 2024). Lee Seok-Jae (Dept. of Political Science and Diplomacy, 19), who led the protest, explained the choice of location, “I was aware that Yewonjeong had long been established as a place for expressing opinions across generations since the democratization movement. We chose Yewonjeong because it is easily accessible, and we wanted to break the perception that protests and rallies, which are fundamental rights in a democratic society, require great determination.”

■A Hub for Student Autonomy

The Moonchang-Je, a signature event of the College of Social Sciences, has occasionally been held at Yewonjeong. In 2023, the festival operated a singing contest at the 10.16 Memorial Hall, while mini-game booths reflecting the unique characteristics of each department were set up at Yewonjeong as reported by “Channel PNU” on November 3rd, 2023.  In 2018, however, the Moonchang-Je was held entirely at Yewonjeong, without separating the singing contest and the booths. Cho Han-Su (Dept. of Political Science and Diplomacy, 12), who led the event at that time, recalled that a stage was set up on the circular lawn of Yewonjeong, where performances by the college’s band “Haedobi” and departmental singing contests took place. He also remembered, “Students from other colleges and even international students joined us to enjoy the festival together. Yewonjeong was a welcoming resting place that provided space for anyone in need of a break.”

Student-organized events have also been held at Yewonjeong. Choi Ji-Hye (Dept. of Political Science and Diplomacy, 22) recalled “Watching a movie during “Yewonjeong Cinema” in 2023. After the midterm in the second semester, my friends and I gathered at Yewonjeong, spread out a picnic mat, ate chicken, and enjoyed a fun movie night.” Hong Ki-Min (Dept. of Library, Archive and Information Studies, 19) also remembered, “I remember having a freshman welcoming recreation at Yewonjeong when I was a first-year student. I am not sure about now, but back then, students from other departments also used to come to Yewonjeong for their welcoming events.” On March 31st, 2022, the Department of Library, Archive and Information Studies Student Council hosted the AR game “Mission Archive” at Yewonjeong to welcome new students according to a report by “Channel PNU” on April 1st, 2022. 

■A Space for Clubs and Learning

Yewonjeong has also served as a stage for various student clubs on campus. The Photography Art Research Club, a central club at PNU, holds the opening of its regular exhibitions every spring and fall at Yewonjeong. Yu Young-Hoon (Dept. of Electrical Engineering, 09), a member of the 54th class of the aforementioned club, recalls, “We were able to hold our photo exhibition thanks to the support of many people, including local shop owners and alumni. I still remember when a framed photograph fell from an easel arranged in a circle along the circular lawn and broke. It has become one of my fond memories.” A member of Magic PNU, another central club, also said, “We used to practice stage magic at Yewonjeong to prepare for outdoor performances with other friends.”

There was also a club that carried out its activities around Yewonjeong. Hong Ki-Min (Dept. of Library, Archive and Information Studies, 19) recalled, “There used to be a club that took care of the cats living near the Social Sciences Building. I remember feeding and playing with the campus cats, “Yeoksi” and “Hoya,” near the cat houses in the bushes of Yewonjeong.” He added, “There was even a time when I ran around Yewonjeong with a capture net to take a sick cat to the hospital.”

Yewonjeong has also been a unique study space for students. Choo Kyung-joo (Dept. of Media and Communication, 20) recalled, “We had a practical class for operating drones at Yewonjeong. I practiced flying drones along the circular shape of Yewonjeong and took photos of the campus from a distance, which made me feel more attached to PNU.” Another PNU student A (Dept. of Media and Communication) said, “During our research group activities, a senior taught us how to use cameras at Yewonjeong.”

Meanwhile, the reconstruction of the Social Sciences Building, including Yewonjeong, is scheduled to begin between February and March of 2026, with completion and reopening targeted for 2029.

Reporter Song Min-Soo

Translated by Seo Young-Chae