The Largest Royal Tombs in South Korea
(Published March 03, 2013)
 
The 500-year history of the Joseon Dynasty came to an end with the demise of its 27th and last monarch, King Sunjong, in April 25, 1926. However, we still can feel its presence at Donggureung Royal Tombs in Guri, Gyeonggi Province.

Donggureung Royal Tombs, UNESCO World Heritage

Needless to say, we should maintain our cultural heritages in good condition for the benefit of future generations. To do this, we should understand how important a historical site Donggureung Royal Tombs is and take very good care of it.
 
About Donggureung Royal Tombs
 
Donggureung Royal Tombs, literally meaning ‘Tombs of Nine Royal Couples in the East of Seoul’, is the largest royal tomb complex in the country, and comprises the following royal tombs of the Joseon Dynasty: the Royal Tomb of King Taejo, founder of the Joseon Dynasty; the Royal Tombs of King Munjong and Queen Hyeondeok; the Royal Tombs of King Seonjo, Queen Uiin, and Queen Inmok; the Royal Tomb of Queen Jangnyeol; the Royal Tomb of King Hyeonjong, and Queen Myeongseong; the Royal Tomb of Queen Danui; the Royal Tomb of King Yeongjo and Queen Jeongsun; the Royal Tomb of King Heonjong, Queen Hyohyeon, and Queen Hyojeong; and the Royal Tomb of King Munjo and Queen Sinjeong.
 
About the Tomb of King Taejo, Founder of the Joseon Dynasty
– A military general from Dongbuk-myeon nicknamed “The Tiger”

Yi Seong-gye (later King Taejo of the Joseon Dynasty, 1335 ~ 1408), a gallant military general of the Goryeo Dynasty, was opposed to King U’s plan to attack Ming China on the following grounds: It was not advisable for a small country to attack a much larger and stronger neighbor; widespread mobilization in summer, a busy season for farmers, could lead to discontent among the people; Japanese pirates might exploit the situation to invade the capital (Gaegyeong – present-day Gaeseong); and, in the hot summer season, the separate parts of a bow (connected only with glue) tended to loosen, and troops could become exhausted easily.
 
In 1388, General Yi set out with his army on a campaign against Ming China at the king’s order, but stopped in Wihwado Island along the lower reaches of the Amnokgang River and returned to the capital, where he dethroned King U (the 32nd king of the Goryeo Dynasty) in a coup and set up a puppet regime headed first by King Chang and then by King Gongyang (the last king of the Goryeo Dynasty). In July 17, 1392, he acceded to the throne at the age of 57 as King Taejo, the first ruler of the new Joseon Dynasty. The people characterized the episode as ‘the tiger from Dongbuk-myeon transforming itself into a dragon’.The Tomb of King Taejo, Founder of the Joseon Dynasty
 
During his seven-year rule as Joseon’s first king, King Taejo laid the foundations of the new dynasty. His tomb located at the center of Donggureung Royal Tombs, is covered with pampas grass. He actually wanted to be buried in his hometown Hamheung, but King Taejong, his fifth son, thought it unwise to place the tomb of the dynasty’s founder so far from the capital. So he had the tomb built in a place close to the capital and had it covered with pampas grass taken from his father’s hometown in consideration of his father’s last wishes.
 
In fact, King Taejo wished to be buried next to the tomb of his second wife, Queen Sindeok. However, King Taejong, the fifth son of King Taejo, and his first wife Queen Sinui, detested Taejo’s second wife. His father knew that his son King Taejong would not fulfill his wish of being buried next to the tomb of his second wife and thus said that he wished to be buried in his hometown Hamheung instead. Upon his father’s demise, King Taejong moved the tomb of his father’s second wife to Jeongneung Royal Tomb. The stone structures which had been set up around her original tomb were used in the construction of Gwangcheongyo Bridge.
 The following Q&As are included in a visitors’ guide to Donggureung Royal Tombs:
 
Q: “Why is the site of the Royal Tomb of King Taejo larger than those of the other tombs in the same complex?”
A: “King Taejo was the founder of the Joseon Dynasty. It was quite natural that his tomb site should be larger and grander than the others.”
 
Q: “Guri City held the royal procession ceremony as part of the Donggureung Royal Tombs Cultural Festival in May 2012? What about this year?
A: “It has been designated as an annual event, so it will be held again in May this year.”
 
About the Donggureung Royal Tombs Cultural Festival
The Donggureung Royal Tombs Cultural Festival is an annual event held by Guri in May or June every year to publicize the Donggureung Royal Tombs and commemorate its historical significance. Until 2003, a ritual for the King Taejo was held by the Jeonju Yi Clan – the clan from which he and all the other kings of Joseon originate, and the hosting of the event was handed over to Guri in 2004. Since then, the event has become a major festival for the people of Guri.Jeongjagak Shrine at Royal Tomb of King Taejo
 
Jeongjagak Shrine was built together with the tomb in 1408 (the 8th year of the reign of the King Taejong). According to the official records, it has been repaired on many occasions. In addition to its importance as a shrine for paying homage to the founder of the dynasty, it also served as a model for the ritual halls built at royal tombs in the following period, making it a valuable and well-preserved historical resource.
 
A royal tomb is a valuable historic site. Visitors to Donggureung Royal Tombs will feel as if they are witnesses to the country’s great history. Why not give the tombs a visit and pay homage to the spirits of those buried in the royal tombs complex with your lover or family or friends this spring?
By Seo Min-ho, a Gyeonggi Junior Reporter

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