Tomb of King Yeonsangun, Seoul

Basic information

Designation

Historic Site No.362

Category

유적지

Era

1506년

Designated year

1991

Location

도봉구, 서울특별시— 서울특별시 도봉구 방학로17길 46 (방학동, 제실 행랑채)

Coordinates

37.661679, 127.022122

King Yeonsangun and his queen, Geochang Sin, were buried in the tomb. As the 10th king of the Joseon Dynasty reigning between 1494 and 1506, he was the eldest son of King Seongjong. Born in the 7th year of the reign of King Seongjong (1476), he ascended the throne in 1494. Two cruel massacres of scholars took place during his reign, showing how violent he was. Thus, scholars staged a revolt and installed Prince Jinseong, another son of King Seongjong, as new king named Jungjongbanjeong. King Yeonsangun was expelled in 1506 and was downgraded as King Yeonsangun (the title of "Gun" is a term indicating less respect in naming rulers in Korean history.) He died in 1506 while living in exile in Gyodong, Ganghwado Island. His wife begged the government to move his tomb from Ganghwado Island to this present site. Near his tomb are some tombs of his daughters and sons-in-law. Around his tomb are stone constructions such as honyuseok (rectangular stone table), stone lantern that guards the tomb, hyangnoseok (stone incense table), etc. The front side of his gravestone is inscribed with Chinese characters showing that it is his tomb; the back states that his funeral was held "for 20 days in February of the 8th year of Jeongdeok.

Location