Sunheung is an anglicization of the McCune–ReischauerromanizationSunhŭng. Its official romanization in South Korea is Sunheung. In 19th century sources, Sunheung appears as Sioun-heng-fu,[1] from a French transcription of the Korean placename and the Chinese pronunciation of its status as the seat of a district or commandery. Although the name literally means "Adhering to", "Obeying", or "Following Prosperity" or "Success", Sunheung is also bongwan of a Korean clan in the area which included the influential Korean ConfucianistAn Hyang.
History
Under the late Joseondynasty, Sunheung was a district capital overseeing the plains and hinterland around Mount Taebaek. Its mountains were the site of Korea's first foreign mining concern, a silver mine whose permit was revoked by the royal court in Seoul after a few months of operation in the early 1850s.[1][2]