Taereung and Gangneung Royal Tombs

Taereung and Gangneung Royal Tombs are the royal tombs of Queen Munjeong, Myeongjong of Joseon and his wife Queen Insun.

Taereung Royal Tomb

Taereung is the royal tomb of Queen Munjeong (1501-1565). She was the third wife of King Jungjong, who was the eleventh king of Joseon Dynasty. She was born to the Yun family on February 1, 1502. Her father was Pasan Buwongun.

The layout of the tomb is similar to that of other royal tombs. It features a red spiked gate known as hongsalmun. A two leveled stone walkway leads to a T-shaped shrine. The left walkway is for the spirits while the right walkway was for the king.

Munjeong became queen in 1517 after Queen Janggyeong, the second wife of Jungjong, died. Janggyeong died a week after giving birth to her son who would later become King Injong.

Queen Munjeong was motivated by political power. It is believed that she poisoned and murdered her own stepson, King Injong, in 1545. After his death, her own son ascended to the throne. He was known as King Myeongjong and was only eleven at the time.

Queen Regent Munjeong ruled the country for eight years on her sons behalf since he was too young to rule and make political decisions.

Munjeong was a devote Buddhist. During her rule of the country, she lifted the ban on the worship of Buddhism. She also took land that was once owned by nobility and gave it to normal citizens.

She continued to be a powerful female figure in the Joseon Dynasty until her death at the age of 65 in 1565. She died at Sodeokdang Hall at Changdeokgung Palace.

Queen Munjeong was interred her in 1565. Memorial rites are held for her every year on May 16.

Gangneung Royal Tomb

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Last Updated on Dec 17, 2021