When the network of commerce spread nationwide in the late 18th century, packmen emerged as the center of commerce, along with other merchants of the Joseon Dynasty.

Goryeong Sangmusa is a group of packmen that were active at Goryeong Marketplace in the Joseon Dynasty. It was established in 1899 and still exists today.

The packmen were divided into two groups that were once called the left packmen and the right packmen.

The left packmen carried and sold bulky yet relatively cheap products, including fish, salt, woodenware, earthenware, iron, seaweed, ironware, tobacco, yeast, bamboo products, reed mat, and honey. The right packmen carried less bulky yet pricier products, such as pear, silk, linen, cotton, gold, silver, copper, marten fur, otter skin, and leather.

The left packmen’s group of Goryeong formed an organization in 1886 and the right packmen were organized 30 years after that in 1899, the year when the government established Sangmusa.

Sangmusa Memorial Hall exhibits 17 artifacts of the packmen, including record books (National Folk Item No. 30), horns, canes, and seals. These are important folk items for us to study the level of social development of that time.

Goryeong Sangmusa has managed to exist even through the Japanese imperial rule over Joseon in 1866 (3rd year of the reign of King Gojong). Even today, they have board members, Board meetings, and rituals that are still operated in the traditional way.