Saudang Head House (사우당 종택)

Saudang Head House, located in Yundong Village in Seongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, is the ancestral home of Kim Yong-cho, one of the founding contributors of the Joseon dynasty. The name Saudang is derived from the pen name of Kim Kwan-seok, who settled in Yundong Village. Since the scholar Kim Kwan-seok settled here during the mid-Joseon period, Yundong Village has remained a clan village of the Uiseong Kim Clan. Within the village are Seodeoksa Shrine, a historic monument, and 13 additional buildings for ancestral rites in honor the clan's ancestors. For 600 years, Saundang Head House has continued the legacy as the ancestral home of Uiseong Kim Clan Commonly referred to as the "head house," this ancestral home is not only the residence of the firstborn but also serves as the spiritual pillar and center of the village. Additionally, it has been a place for nurturing future scholars, recognized for its influence on the local academic culture and its architectural preservation value, and is registered as a cultural heritage site of Gyeongsangbuk-do. Currently, the 21st head of the clan, Kim Gi-dae, and his wife, Ryu Jeong-sook, are safeguarding the ancestral home and promoting the fading culture of clan houses.