Gokju

Gokju was the earlier name of Koksan, a district in the mountainous interior of Hwanghae. Its early Joseon administrative history was closely tied to the standing of Queen Sindeok, King Taejo's second consort, whose birthplace lay there. In 1393 the district was renamed Koksan and promoted to a protectorate. In 1402 it reverted to Gokju; the nationwide adjustment of local names in 1413 restored Koksan, this time as a county.

The queen's rehabilitation brought another promotion in 1669. Later Joseon history included both royal commemoration and local conflict. In 1799 monuments bearing King Jeongjo's calligraphy marked the queen's former home and a place associated with Taejo's riding. The official guesthouse was rebuilt by Jeong Yak-yong in 1798. In 1811 residents rose against the magistrate Park Jong-sin over his oppressive government. These episodes give the district a history of changing rank, public buildings and contested official authority.